• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.233-245
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• 2008

For historical masonry structures existing in the Mediterranean area, structural strengthening is of primary importance due to the continuous earthquake threat that is posed on them. Proper retrofitting of historical structures involves a thorough understanding of their structural pathology, before proceeding with any intervention measures. In this paper, a methodology is presented for the evaluation of the actual state of historical masonry structures, which can provide a useful tool for the seismic response assessment before and after the retrofitting. The methodology is mainly focused on the failure and vulnerability analysis of masonry structures using the finite element method. Using this methodology the retrofitting of historical structures with innovative techniques is investigated. The innovative technique presented here involves the exploitation of Shape Memory Alloy prestressed bars. This type of intervention is proposed because it ensures increased reversibility and minimization of interventions, in comparison with conventional retrofitting methods. In this paper, a case study is investigated for the demonstration of the proposed methodologies and techniques, which comprises a masonry Byzantine church and a masonry Cistern. Prestressed SMA alloy bars are placed into the load-bearing system of the structure. The seismic response of the non-retrofitted and the retrofitted finite element models are compared in terms of seismic energy dissipation and displacements diminution.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.3 s.55
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• pp.43-52
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• 2007

This study suggests a method to determine optimal seismic retrofitting schemes for existing bridges based on weighting-factored evaluation. According to the recognition for potential seismic risk, various kinds of retrofitting methods are applied to improve the seismic performance of existing bridges. However, the relevant technique is not available to select optimal retrofitting scheme for bridges now. This suggested method weights five factors, structural compatibility, economic efficacy, environmental factor, consturctability and maintenance, and draws out optimal seismic retrofitting schemes. The application of the developed method to one hundred sixty existing bridges verifies the adaptability of this method. As a result, this study provides an idealized retrofitting schemes, and the suggested method could be a guideline to determine the more cost-effective and optimal retrofitting schemes for existing bridges in Korea.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.631-644
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• 2014

Seismic assessment and retrofitting of existing structure is a complicated work that typically requires more sophisticated analyses than performing a new design. Before the implementation of a Code for seismic design of buildings (GBJ 11-89), not enough attention has been paid on seismic performance of structures and a great part of the existing reinforced concrete structures built in China have been poorly designed according to the new version of the same code (GB 50011-2010). This paper presents a case study of seismic assessment of a non-seismically designed reinforced concrete building in China. The structural responses are evaluated using the nonlinear static procedure (the so-called pushover analysis), which requires its introduction within a process that allows the estimation of the demand, against which the capacity is then compared with. The capacity of all structural members can be determined following the design code. Based on the structural performance, suitable retrofitting strategies are selected and implemented to the existing system. The retrofitted structure is analyzed again to check the effectiveness of the rehabilitation. Different types of retrofitting strategy are discussed and classified according to their complexity and benefits. Finally, a proper intervention methodology is utilized to upgrade this typical low-rise non-ductile building.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

Shake table tests performed on five 1:3 reduced scale two story RC moment resisting frames having construction defects, have shown severe joint damageability in deficient RC frames, resulting in joint panels' cover spalling and core concrete crushing. Haunch retrofitting technique was adopted herein to upgrade the seismic resistance of the deficient RC frames. Additional four deficient RC frames were built and retrofitted with steel haunch; both axially stiffer and deformable with energy dissipation, fixed to the beam-column connections to reduce shear demand on joint panels. The as-built and retrofitted frames' seismic response parameters are calculated and compared to evaluate the viability of haunch retrofitting technique. The haunch retrofitting technique increased the lateral stiffness and strength of the structure, resulting in the increase of structure's overstrength. The retrofitting increased response modification factor R by 60% to 100%. Further, the input excitation PGA was correlated with the lateral roof displacement to derive structure response curve that have shown significant resistance of retrofitted models against input excitations. The technique can significantly enhance the seismic performance of deficient RC frames, particularly against the frequent and rare earthquake events, hence, promising for seismic risk mitigation.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.797-815
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• 2014

This research aimed to investigate retrofitting methods for damaged RC columns with SRF (Super Reinforced with Flexibility) and aramid composites and their impacts on the seismic responses. In the first stage, two original (undamaged) column specimens, designed to have a flexural- or shear-controlled failure mechanism, were tested under quasi-static lateral cyclic and constant axial loads to failure. Afterwards, the damaged column specimens were retrofitted, utilizing SRF composites and aramid rods for the flexural-controlled specimen and only SRF composites for the shear-controlled specimen. In the second stage, the retrofitted column specimens were tested again under the same conditions as the first stage. The hysteretic responses such as strength, ductility and energy dissipation were discussed and compared to clarify the specific effects of each retrofitting material on the seismic performances. Generally, SRF composites contributed greatly to the ductility of the specimens, especially for the shear-controlled specimen before retrofitting, in which twice the deformation capacity was obtained in the retrofitted specimen. The shear-controlled specimen also experienced a flexural failure mechanism after retrofitting. In addition, aramid rods moderately fortified the specimen in terms of the maximum shear strength. The maximum strength of the aramid-retrofitted specimen was 12% higher than the specimen without aramid rods. In addition, an analytical modeling of the undamaged specimens was conducted using Response-2000 and Zeus Nonlinear in order to further validate the experimental results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.74-81
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• 2009

In this study, the seismic performance of RC school buildings which were not designed according to earthquake-resistance design code were evaluated by using response spectrum and push-over analyses. The torsional amplification effect due to plan irregularity is considered and then the efficiency of seismic retrofitting methods such as RC shear wall, steel frame, RC frame and PC wing wall was investigated. The analysis result indicate that the inter-story drift concentrated in the first floor and most plastic hinge forms at the column of the first story. Among the retrofitting methods, the PC wing wall has the highest seismic performance in strength and story drift aspect. Especially, it can make building ductile behavior due to the concentrated inter-story drift at the first column hinge is distributed overall stories. The axial force, shear force and moment magnitude of existing elements significantly decreased after retrofitting. However, the axial and shear force of the elements connected to the additional retrofitting elements increased, and especially the boundary columns at the end of the retrofitting shear wall should be reinforced for assuring the enhancement of seismic performance.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2011.07a
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• pp.1822-1823
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• 2011

If one system were retrofited in complexed several systems, the system has closely analyzed in its function. And, so the system is operating stable after retrofit. Especially, the system is analyzed considerate in not retrofitting totally but retrofitting partially. Now, generator excitation system will be retrofitted partially(that is, retrofitting controller) and the contents is described in this paper.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.309-319
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• 2017

A new method is suggested for the retrofitting of torsionally sensitive buildings. The main objective is to eliminate the torsional component from the first two natural modes of the structure by properly modifying its stiffness distribution via selective strengthening of its vertical elements. Due to the multi-parameter nature of this problem, state-of-art optimization schemes together with an ad-hoc software implementation were used for quantifying the required stiffness increase, determine the required retrofitting scheme and finally design and analyze the required composite sections for structural rehabilitation. The performance of the suggested method and its positive impact on the earthquake response of such structures is demonstrated through benchmark examples and applications on actual torsionally sensitive buildings.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.1-25
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• 2015

The main goal of this study was to develop a convenient strengthening technique for retrofitting of reinforced concrete members. For this purpose a new retrofitting material so-called prefabricated-HSPRCC (high performance steel plate reinforced cementitious composite) panel was developed by using high performance concrete and perforated steel plate. Prefabricated-HSPRCC composes advantages of steel and high performance concrete. The prefabricated-HSPRCC panels were either only bonded on the specimens using epoxy mortar or anchored to the specimen by steel bolts as well as bonding. Effect of different variations such as prefabricated-HSPRCC panel thicknesses, steel plate thicknesses, puncture orientation of perforated steel plate, existence of anchorage etc. were studied through a simple experimental work. The behaviour of the specimens under vertical point load was also studied by using simple mechanics. The retrofitted specimens were found to exhibit much better performance both in terms of strength and deformation capability. The anchorage application was found to positively affect this improved performance. Furthermore, as a result of the tests the best parameters of prefabricated-HSPRCC plate for improving strength and deformation capacities were determined.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.523-536
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• 2014

Before incorporating the earthquake-resistance design in design standard (1988) in South Korea, most of existing residential buildings were built without having lateral resistance capacity in addition to their structural peculiarity, such as exterior stair ways, exterior elevator room. For these reasons, the demands on retrofitting research for existing buildings arise recently and many retrofitting methods are proposed. These tasks are important to reduce the enormous economic loss and environmental issues. As the main purpose, this study was intended to examine the performance improvement in terms of ductility and strength in the wake of retrofitting and to suggest retrofitting details.