• 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.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.385-403
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• 2015

This paper presents the status improvement of an old damaged deck type rural road steel truss bridge through the modal parametric study after partial retrofitting. The dynamic and static tests on bridge were carried out as in damaged state and after partial retrofitting. The dynamic testing on the steel bridge was carried out using accelerometers under similar environmental conditions with same speed of the moving vehicle. The comparison of the modal parameters i.e., frequency, mode shape mode shape curvature, modal strain energy, along with the deflection parameter are studied with respect to structural analytical model parameters. The status up gradation for the upper and downstream truss obtained was different due to differential level of damage in the bridge. Also after retrofitting the structural elemental behavior obtained was not same as desired. The damage level obtained through static tests carried out using total station indicated further retrofitting requirement.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.557-566
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• 2017

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets are the most efficient structural materials in terms of strength to weight ratio and its application in strengthening and retrofitting of a structure or structural elements are inevitable. The performance enhancement of structural elements without increasing the cross sectional area and flexible nature are the major advantages of FRP in retrofitting/strengthening work. This research article presents a detailed study on the inelastic response of conventional and retrofitted Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames using Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) subjected to quasi-static loading. The hysteretic behaviour, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation and damage index are the parameters employed to analyse the efficacy of FRP strengthening of brick in-filled RC frames. Repair and retrofitting of brick infilled RC frame shows an improved load carrying and damage tolerance capacity than control frame.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.101-117
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• 2019

Structural strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams is becoming essential to meet the up-gradation of existing structures due to the infrastructure development. Strengthening is also essential for damaged structural element due to the adverse environmental condition and other distressing factors. This article reviews the state of the field on repair, retrofitting and rehabilitation techniques for the strengthening of RC beams. Strengthening of RC beams using various promising techniques such as externally bonded steel plates, concrete jacketing, fibre reinforced laminates or sheets, external prestressing/external bar reinforcement technique and ultra-high performance concrete overlay have been extensively investigated for the past four decades. The primary objective of this article is to discuss investigations on various strengthening techniques over the years. Various parameters that have been discussed include the flexural capacity, shear strength, failure modes of various strengthening techniques and advances in techniques over the years. Firstly, background information on strengthening, including repair, retrofitting, and rehabilitation of RC beams is provided. Secondly, the existing strengthening techniques for reinforced concrete beams are discussed. Finally, the relative comparisons and limitations in the existing techniques are presented.

• 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.27 no.5
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• pp.589-607
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• 2007

Two series of tests were conducted to investigate the behavior of local thin jacketing for the retrofitting of reinforced concrete (RC) columns. In the first series, four full-scale RC columns with a height of 400 cm and a 30 cm square cross-section were tested under constant axial load and reversed cyclic lateral displacements. The heavily damaged columns were retrofitted with local thin jacketing. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) was used in the production of 7.5 cm thick, four-sided jacketing. The height of the jacketing was 100 cm for one specimen and 200 cm for all others. In the second series, the retrofitted columns were retested with the same axial load and displacement history. The effectiveness of local thin jacketing in the retrofitting of RC columns was examined with respect to lateral strength, stiffness, inelastic load-deformation behavior and energy dissipation.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.805-810
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• 2002

An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the structural performance of new retrofitting technology using high performance carbon fiber bar and strengthening metal fittings. Experimental programs were accomplished to evaluate the structural performance of test specimens, such as load-displacement relationship, crack propagation, ductility, and strain of retrofitting materials etc.. Specimens(BCR2, BCR2-AF1) designed with the new retrofitting technology using high-performance carbon fiber bar and strengthening metal fittings showed much higher load-carrying capacity and ductility compared to specimens(BC1P, BC2P, BS30) designed with the conventional retrofitting method.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.379-386
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• 2004

The optimal seismic retrofitting of NPP(Nuclear Power Plant) cabinet structures that contained class 1 relays were studies in this paper. During earthquake event, the failure modes of relays are not appeared in form of structural failure, but are appeared in form of contact chatter of relay. Therefore, the retrofitting of cabinet has to be aimed to the reducing of the structural response, such as acceleration. In this study, the optimal characteristic values of dampers were searched by μ-GA (micro-Genetic Algorithm) scheme for several installation patterns. To keep accuracy and efficiency of analysis, the structural models of cabinet were considered as a frame structure. The responses of structure were obtained in form of acceleration response spectra derived from the results of nonlinear time history analysis including damping nonlinearity. The fitness function of the optimum procedure was constructed based on the ratio of maximum spectral value and target GERS (General Equipment Ruggedness Spectra). The results show the good improvements of fitness fur adequate retrofitting pattern. Especially, the improvements of fitness were remarkable when the damping exponents are proper.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.625-639
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• 2019

The concept of the combined seismic and energy retrofitting of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings was examined in this paper through a number of case studies conducted on model buildings (simulating buildings of the '60s-'80s in southern Europe) constructed according to outdated design standards. Specifically, seismic and thermal analyses have been conducted prior to and after the application of selected retrofitting schemes, in order to quantify the positive effect that retrofitting could provide to RC buildings both in terms of their structural and energy performance. Advanced materials, namely the textile reinforced mortars (TRM), were used for providing seismic retrofitting by means of jacketing of masonry infills in RC frames. Moreover, following the application of the TRM jackets, thermal insulation materials were simultaneously provided to the RC building envelope, exploiting the fresh mortar used to bind the TRM jackets. In addition to the externally applied insulation material, all the fenestration elements (windows and doors) were replaced with new high energy efficiency ones. Afterwards, an economic measure, namely the expected annual loss (EAL) was used to evaluate the efficiency of each retrofitting method, but also to assess whether the combined seismic and energy retrofitting is economically feasible. From the results of this preliminary study, it was concluded that the selected seismic retrofitting technique can indeed enhance significantly the structural behaviour of an existing RC building and lower its EAL related to earthquake risks. Finally, it was found that the combined seismic and energy upgrading is economically more efficient than a sole energy or seismic retrofitting scenario for seismic areas of south Europe.