05-11-2014, 10:01 AM
Abstracts: The purpose of the present case study was to investigate the actual cause of deteriorations and the measures adopted to prevent its further deterioration. The process involves repair, renovation and even part reconstruction. The retrofitting becomes necessary to enhance the performance of structures including those encountered loss of strength due to deterioration or which have crossed their expected life. 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 criteria for building subject to a design load. 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. Any structure needs periodic repairs and regular maintenance to continue its performance of withstanding the existing loads. Here, in case study of reinforced cement concrete structure, the cause of the failure could be known by studying the crack pattern and its depth, which helps in identification of cause and prescribing measures for repair / retrofitting to enhance life expectancy of the structure. Past case studies indicate that reinforced cement concrete structures develop deteriorating signals at half of structure life, demanding repairs, retrofitting, renovation. It is necessary to understand the effective preventive measures against the development.