Seismic Retrofit Methods for Concrete Structures include techniques such as reducing irregularities in the building, decreasing the building’s mass, changing the building’s use, adding shear walls to the building, shortening spans, and increasing the cross-sectional area and steel plates on the exterior faces.

One of the most common methods is increasing the cross-sectional area. In this method, additional reinforced concrete encases the existing concrete like a jacket.

Connecting Steel Members to Concrete Surfaces:

The retrofitting of concrete members using steel plates was introduced in the 1960s in Switzerland and Germany. By connecting steel members to the two lateral faces or beneath the structural member, the shear and flexural strength of the structure is enhanced.

Adding Shear Walls and Columns to the Structure:

Adding shear walls is more conservative compared to new technologies and helps direct the structure towards the expected performance by controlling building displacement.

Adding columns to the structure and increasing the beam cross-section.