SeisMiC ReTrOfitTiNg

Presented by..
Sangay Dorjee Bhutia N Vincent Sam Jebadurai

WaT is Retrofittin..!!!
Retrofitting refers to the addition of new technology or features to older systems. Ex: older vehicles are fitted with new technologies; power windows, cruise control, remote keyless systems, electric fuel pumps, etc. Also refer to the process of strengthening older buildings in order to make them earthquake resistant.

Topics Overview
What is seismic retrofitting? How much does retrofitting help? How much does a retrofit cost? Do newer homes need seismic reinforcement? What if I have an older home? Do I need a contractor, an engineer or an architect? Retrofitting For Improving The Seismic Resistance of Existing Buildings & Structures Techniques of seismic retrofitting

Wat is seismic retrofittin..!!

Making a building re-serviceable and reusable after it has suffered moderate to major structural damages during an earthquake. Seismic retrofitting focuses on strengthening the house using special techniques and engineered construction methods.

How much does retrofittin helps..!!

Properly retrofitted home is almost ten times more resistant to earthquake damage than one that is not retrofitted. Earthquakes and the forces generated by them are unpredictable. Reduces the amount of damages a house receives and is highly effective in preventing loss of life.

How much does a retrofit cost..!!

Depends upon
age type characteristic of a building.

Generally costs between 1% and 3% of a home's value. However it is only a one time investment.

Do newer homes need seismic reinforcement..!!

Modern building codes have been written so that newer homes usually don't need to be seismically reinforced if they were properly constructed. Builders sometimes do not understand provisions of the code. Usually retrofits of newer homes are simple and inexpensive.

Wat if I hav an older home..!!

Susceptible to earthquake damage because they were built before homes were required by law to be earthquakeresistant. They are the prime candidates for retrofitting. All retrofit building codes, and most retrofit techniques, have been designed for older homes.

Do I need an contractor, engineer or an architect..!!

Architects do not design retrofits. Done by structural engineers having a thorough knowledge of behavior of buildings during an earthquake. Trained in Earthquake engineering and experience of retrofit design.

Retrofitting For Improving The Seismic Resistance Of Existing buildings and structures
Buildings & structures get damaged in earthquakes due to their inherent structural weakness, absence of earthquake resisting features, material degradation due to time and weathering effects & alterations carried out. If not properly retrofitted, the buildings may be damaged in the future earthquakes.

Techniques of seismic retrofitting

Improving the lateral stiffness. Providing unity to the structure and making it as redundant as possible so as to have multiple paths of load transfer. Making the structure and its connections, as ductile as possible by the mechanical and/or chemical means. Retrofitting of each building requires careful handling by an expert to evolve the most efficient, economical and simple retrofitting approach.

Seismic retrofit
Modification of existing structures to make them more resistant to seismic activity, ground motion, or soil failure due to earthquakes. There is no such thing as an earthquake proof structure, although performance can be greatly enhanced through proper initial design or subsequent modifications.

 Seismic retrofit is primarily applied to achieve public safety, with various levels of structure and material survivability determined by economic considerations. The most common structures requiring extensive retrofit are bridges, road viaducts, towers, unreinforced masonry and insufficiently reinforced concrete buildings

 At 4:31 a.m. PST on Monday, Jan. 17, 1994, the ground shook for approximately 20 seconds in the Northridge section of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, Calif. The earthquake had a Richter magnitude of 6.7. Its epi-central region was the same area that had been rocked during the 1971 San Fernando earthquake. Fifty-seven people lost their lives as a result of the Northridge quake.

 The main shock and aftershocks affected the built environment in an area of about 900 square kilometers (350 square miles). By earthquake standards, this magnitude 6.7 event was a moderate quake. By comparison, the 1964 Alaska earthquake had a magnitude of 8.1

Retrofitting technologies
Including the use of hinge or joint restrainers and column jacketing-performed very well. Although some restrainers failed, primarily by pulling through concrete bolsters, it is believed that none of these failures were the primary cause of span collapse . Restrainers are not designed to carry the loads imposed by multiple spans once the structural integrity of intermediate columns are lost. This earthquake provided the first test of columns confined by steel jackets and none experienced failure.

 This technology clearly represents one of the most cost-effective retrofit measures that can be implemented nationally, although use is not a guarantee that span collapse or damage can be avoided. However, restrainers will significantly reduce bridge damage in small-to-moderate quakes.

Observations
Retrofitting improves earthquake resistance. The retrofit techniques of joint restrainers, column jacketing, and foundation strengthening. Retrofitting is not foolproof, it once again reduced structural failure and damage. The earthquake caused high vertical accelerations. Although these accelerations are not identified as the primary cause of damage, the phenomenon and the implications on structural performance need further study.

Recommendations
Conduct a thorough forensic study Examine flared column designs Consider the need for combined horizontal and vertical loadings Investigate the use of isolation and/or energy absorption technology to reduce damage Eliminate bridge joints

Lessons Learned from Earthquake Engineering Research

Designing a highway bridge to withstand large earthquake forces is a technically challenging and, until relatively recent times, daunting problem Although it is virtually impossible to design or retrofit a bridge to be "earthquake-proof," a number of basic principles have been identified that, if followed, will improve the seismic performance of bridges and minimize the likelihood of structural collapse.

Recommendations for new design

Use approach slabs with positive ties to the abutment. This can provide continuity and minimize the effect of soil slumping behind the abutment. Use continuous spans rather than simply supported spans; this will reduce the need for expansion joints and thus minimize the potential for span separation. A side benefit of this practice will be a reduction in joint maintenance costs. Provide adequate seat widths for simply supported spans at piers, in-span joints, and abutments to prevent girders from becoming unseated.

 Provide adequate confinement for bridge columns by using either spiral reinforcement or transverse ties. Design all bearings for simply supported spans for lateral seismic loads--that is, provide adequate strength in restrained directions. Check the stability of the bearing in the unrestrained direction at its maximum anticipated displacement. Do not lap or anchor column longitudinal steel in the plastic hinge zones at the column-to-cap connection and/or the column-to-footing connection.

 Design footings to resist the full moment and shear demands transmitted from the column. Do not allow plastic hinging in the footings. Use earthquake-protective systems (e.g., seismic isolation), where appropriate, to minimize the seismic demand on bridge members. Use soil improvement technologies to reduce the potential for soil failure or liquefaction

Conclusion
The Northridge earthquake showed us that we are indeed on the right track with regard to the development of effective seismic-resistant highway bridge design and retrofit procedures and technology . Research in earthquake engineering is still needed.