05-11-2014, 10:35 AM
Abstracts: The purpose of the present study was to investigate possible seismic retrofit options for use in the seismic upgrade of the reinforced concrete frame building with brick masonry infill walls. The overall aim of this project was to identify the optional combination of retrofit options that would enable the building to meet the present day “life-safety” performance criteria for buildings subject to a design magnitude earthquake. The retrofit solutions include various combinations of strength and ductility enhancement at member and system levels. All solutions are classified into two major alternatives of external and internal retrofitting. External retrofitting mainly consists of exterior coupled shear walls attached to the building perimeter whereas the basic elements of internal retrofitting are concrete in filled shear walls. Secondary elements are also employed in both retrofitting solutions where necessary. They are basically the existing masonry partition walls enhanced by applying mesh reinforcement, FRP sheets or thin precast concrete panels on their surfaces. The seismic response from each alternative is calculated by simplified performance assessment procedures, and their acceptability is verified. Exterior retrofitting has prevailed in most buildings as the feasible solution.