RETROFITTING OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BUILDINGS

Methods of increasing resistant capacity of structure by various techniques is called Retrofitting. Seismic retrofitting is the modification of existing/damaged structures to make them more resistant to seismic activity, ground motion, or soil failure due to earthquakes. It can also be defined as increasing the seismic resistant of damaged structure by various techniques as per IS: 13935-1993

Concept of Retrofitting: Up gradation of lateral strength of the structure Increase the ductility of the structure Increase of strength and ductility Need for Retrofitting: Thus Seismic Retrofitting is required for buildings under two circumstances: Earthquake damaged buildings Public safety ; structural survivability; for utility and historic significance. Earthquake vulnerable buildings that has not experienced severe earthquake The building has been designed as per the IS code, but the code has been upgraded in last years. Buildings designed to meet the recent seismic code, but deficiencies exist in design or construction. Essential buildings must be strengthened like hospitals, historic monuments and architectural buildings. Important buildings whose service is essential even just after earthquake Buildings, whose use has changed after the years Buildings which are expanded, renovated or rebuilt.

Source of Weakness in RC frames: Discontinuous load path Lack of deformation compatibility of structural members Quality of workmanship and poor quality of materials

Structural level (or Global) Retrofit methods 1. Conventional methods: based on increasing the seismic resistance of existing structure by
eliminating or reducing the adverse effect of design or construction. Adding new shear walls Adding steel bracings Adding infill walls 2. Non- Conventional methods: based on reduction of seismic demands Seismic base isolation 1. Conventional strengthening methods a) Adding new shear wall : One of the most common methods of retrofitting is providing the shear wall to increase the lateral strength of the reinforced concrete buildings. A reasonable ductility may also be achieved if the walls are properly designed with a good detailing. Limitations of this method: Increase in lateral resistance but it is concentrated at a few places Increase in overturning moment at foundation causes very high uplift that needs either new foundation or strengthening of the existing foundation Increases the dead load of the structure Excessive destruction at each floor level results in functional disability of the building Possibilities of adequate attachment between the new and the existing wall

Closing of the formerly open spaces can have major negative impact on the interior of the building or exterior appearance.

b) Adding steel bracings: Another method of strengthening is use of steel bracings. These are an effective solution for buildings with large openings. Advantages: Higher strength and stiffness can be provided Opening of the natural light can be made easy Bracing system adds less weight to the existing structure Most of the work can be performed with pre-fabricated elements and disturbance to the occupants may be minimized. It is cost effective. Limitations of this method: Lack of information about the seismic behavior of the added bracing Undesirable changes regarding original architectural features Section failure may cause impact on over all performance of the building High level workers are necessary for construction Cost efficiency specially to welding is necessary c) Adding infill walls: Adding of infill walls as shown in the figure also helps in increasing the structural strength against seismic force. It is economical and effective method to improve strength and reduce drift of frame. Limitations of this method: Some columns in the frame are subjected to large axial tensile forces, which may exceed the capacity of the column that have been designed for little or no flexure but only for axial and gravity load. 2. Non-Conventional strengthening methods This method aims at reducing the seismic forces on the structure using various techniques of base isolation. It is a powerful method of seismic retrofitting for buildings. a) Base isolation: The seismic base isolation technology involves placing flexible isolation systems between the foundation and the superstructure. Its main advantages are: Better protection against earthquake due to decreasing of shears Foundation system will not need any reinforcement to resist overturning moments Least interrupting the building activities since work is carried out at the basement

Member level (or Local) Retrofit methods

The member level/local retrofit methods are to upgrade the strength of the member which is seismically deficient.The most common methods used are as follows: Jacketing of columns Jacketing of beams Jacketing of beam-column joint Strengthening of individual footing Jacketing of columns: (i) Reinforced concrete jacketing: Jacketing of columns consist of adding concrete with longitudinal and transverse reinforcement around the existing column .This method of jacketing is the most suitable for reinforced concrete buildings. So it is the widely used and cost effective for RC buildings, as it is familiar to engineers and construction industry, suitable for repair. Also it increases the (i) shear capacity of the columns in order to accomplish strong column and weak beam design (ii) to improve flexural strength by longitudinal steel provided continuously from slab and anchored to the foundation. Limitation of these method/disadvantages: They considerably increase member c/s dimension, which may be a serious draw back in buildings with less floor area. They disturb the occupants of the building during construction Production of dust and debris causes pollution and health hazards They also cause noise pollution at work area.

Rusting of bars takes place.

(ii) Fiber Reinforced Polymer: here fiber reinforcement polymer jackets are used. Advantages: Carbon fiber are flexible and can be made to contact with the surface tightly for a high degree of confinement because of its high strength and modulus of elasticity. It is light weight Rusting does not occur Limitations of this method: In some cases the presence of beam may require majority of new longitudinal bars to be bundled in the corner of the jacket With the presence of the existing column it is difficult to provide cross ties for new longitudinal bars which are not at the corner of the jacket. Jacketing is based only on engineering judgment as there are no guidelines or code recommended for it. (iii) Steel jacketing: It is similar to reinforced concrete jacketing but here steel plates are provided instead of reinforced bar Jacketing of beams: Jacketing beam is recommended for several purposes as it gives continuity to the columns and increases the strength and stiffness of the structure. While jacketing the beam it flexural resistance must be carefully computed in order to avoid the creation of strong beamweak column system. Due to column jacketing there may be change in mode failure and redistribution of forces which causes beam hinging, so the critical section of the beam and the participation of the existing reinforcement should be taken into consideration. Jacketing of beam is carried out in various ways 3 or 4-sided jackets. Jacketing of beam-column joint: Beam column joint forms the critical section failure of reinforced concrete frame structure. Beam column joint can be retrofitted by reinforcement concrete jacketing or FRP jacketing or steel jacketing method as mentioned before. Strengthening of Individual Foundation : Strengthening of the foundation of the existing building to resist the seismic effect is known as foundation retrofitting. Foundation retrofitting is required due to two problems: The change of loads on the foundation by strengthening of the building. The failure of foundation itself due to various reasons. Retrofitting of the shallow concrete foundations: Reinforced concrete jacketing bolting down the foundation Base isolation Retrofitting of the pile/deep foundations: Micro pile Methods Screen pipe drain method Super Strengthening Pile Bents method Factors effecting retrofitting of RC buildings Technical consideration Cost benefit ratio Load on the structure Materials Design aspect Mode of failure