What is Retrofitting?
Retrofitting is the process of addition of new features to older buildings,
heritage structures, bridges etc. Retrofitting reduces the vulnerability of damage of
an existing structure during a near future seismic activity.
Retrofitting is the seismic strengthening of existing damaged or
undamaged structures.
Objectives of retrofitting ■ Increasing the lateral strength in one or both directions,
by reinforcement or by increasing wall areas or the number of walls and columns.
What is Seismic retrofitting?
Seismic retrofitting is the modification of existing structures to
make them more resistant to seismic activity, ground motion, or
soil failure due to earthquakes.
SOURCE OF WEAKNESS IN RC FRAME BUILDING
1. Discontinuous load path/interrupted load path/irregular load path
2. Lack of deformation compatibility of structural members
3. Quality of workmanship and poor quality of materials
Seismic Retrofitting Techniques for Concrete Structures:
Seismic Retrofitting Techniques are required for concrete constructions which
are vulnerable to damage and failures by seismic forces. In the past thirty
years, moderate to severe earthquakes occurs around the world every year.
Such events lead to damage to the concrete structures as well as failures.
Thus the aim is to Focus on a few specific procedures which may improve the
practice for the evaluation of seismic vulnerability of existing reinforced
concrete buildings of more importance and for their seismic retrofitting by
means of various innovative techniques such as base isolation and mass
reduction.
So Seismic Retrofitting is a collection of mitigation technique for Earthquake
engineering. It is of utmost importance for historic monuments, areas prone to
severe earthquakes and tall or expensive structures.
Keywords: Retrofitting, Base Isolation, Retrofitting Techniques, Jacketing,
Earthquake Resistance
1. Introduction to Seismic Retrofitting Techniques:
Earthquake creates great devastation in terms of life, money and
failures of structures.
Upgrading of certain building systems (existing structures) to make
them more resistant to seismic activity (earthquake resistance) is really
of more importance.
Structures can be (a) Earthquake damaged, (b) Earthquake vulnerable
Retrofitting proves to be a better economic consideration and
immediate shelter to problems rather than replacement of building.
1.1 Seismic Retrofitting of Concrete Structures:
Definition:
It is the modification of existing structures to make them more resistant to
seismic activity, ground motion, or soil failure due to earthquakes.
The retrofit techniques are also applicable for other natural hazards such as
tropical cyclones, tornadoes, and severe winds from thunderstorms.
1.2 Need for Seismic Retrofitting:
To ensure the safety and security of a building, employees, structure
functionality, machinery and inventory
Essential to reduce hazard and losses from non-structural elements.
predominantly concerned with structural improvement to reduce
seismic hazard.
Important buildings must be strengthened whose services are assumed
to be essential just after an earthquake like hospitals.
1.3 Problems faced by Structural Engineers are:
Lack of standards for retrofitting methods – Effectiveness of each methods
varies a lot depending upon parameters like type of structures, material
condition, amount of damage etc.,
1.4 Basic Concept of Retrofitting:
The aim is at:
Upgradation of lateral strength of the structure
Increase in the ductility of the structure
Increase in strength and ductility
2. Classification of Retrofitting Techniques:
Fig 1: Retrofitting Techniques for Reinforced Concrete Structures
2.1 Adding New Shear Walls:
Frequently used for retrofitting of non ductile reinforced concrete
frame buildings.
The added elements can be either cast?in?place or precast concrete
elements.
New elements preferably be placed at the exterior of the building.
Not preferred in the interior of the structure to avoid interior
mouldings.
Fig 2: Additional Shear Wall
2.2 Adding Steel Bracings
An effective solution when large openings are required.
Potential advantages due to higher strength and stiffness, opening for
natural light can be provided, amount of work is less since foundation
cost may be minimized and adds much less weight to the existing
structure.
Adding STEEL Bracings:
Fig 3: RC Building retrofitted by steel bracing
2.3 Jacketing (Local Retrofitting Technique):
This is the most popular method for strengthening of building columns.
Types of Jacketing:
1. 1.Steel jacket,
2. Reinforced Concrete jacket,
3. Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composite (FRPC) jacket
Purpose for jacketing:
To increase concrete confinement
To increase shear strength
To increase flexural strength
Fig 4: Column Jacketing
Fig 5: Beam Jacketing
2.4 Base Isolation (or Seismic Isolation):
Isolation of superstructure from the foundation is known as base isolation. It
is the most powerful tool for passive structural vibration control technique.
Fig 6: Base Isolated Structures (a)Model Under Test, (b) Diagrammatical
Representation
2.4.1 Advantages of Base Isolation
Isolates Building from ground motion – Lesser seismic loads, hence
lesser damage to the structure, -Minimal repair of superstructure.
Building can remain serviceable throughout construction.
Does not involve major intrusion upon existing superstructure
2.4.2 Disadvantages of Base Isolation
Expensive
Cannot be applied partially to structures unlike other retrofitting
Challenging to implement in an efficient manner
2.5 Mass Reduction Technique of Retrofitting:
This may be achieved, for instance, by removal of one or more storey’s as
shown in Figure. In this case it is evident that the removal of the mass will lead
to a decrease in the period, which will lead to an increase in the required
strength.
Fig 7: Seismic Retrofitting by Mass reduction (removal of Storey)
2.6 Wall Thickening Technique of Retrofitting:
The existing walls of a building are added certain thickness by adding bricks,
concrete and steel aligned at certain places as reinforcement, such that the
weight of wall increases and it can bear more vertical and horizontal loads,
and also its designed under special conditions that the transverse loads does
not cause sudden failure of the wall.
3. Conclusion – Seismic Retrofitting Techniques for concrete structures:
Seismic Retrofitting is a suitable technology for protection of a variety of
structures.
It has matured in the recent years to a highly reliable technology.
But, the expertise needed is not available in the basic level.
The main challenge is to achieve a desired performance level at a
minimum cost, which can be achieved through a detailed nonlinear
analysis.
Optimization techniques are needed to know the most efficient retrofit
for a particular structure.
Proper Design Codes are needed to be published as code of practice for
professionals related to this field.
