Analytical Study on Upgrading the Seismic Performance of Nominally Ductile RC Frame Structures Using Different Rehabilitation Techniques

Abstract eng:
Retrofitting or strengthening of existing reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures is one of the important obsessions for many researchers. Most of these structures were designed according to pre1970 strength-based codes; these codes did not consider the ductility of the structure as a main parameter to dissipate the earthquake energy. And hence these buildings are susceptible to abrupt a non-ductile strength deterioration once their ultimate capacity is reached. Such a brittle failure will lead to a reduction in the energy dissipation capacity of the building and hence the seismic resistance of the structure. Therefore, upgrading the seismic performance of such structures becomes essential to minimize the disastrous consequences of earthquakes. Several rehabilitation techniques can be used to enhance the seismic resistance of structures. This paper investigates analytically the effectiveness of four different rehabilitation techniques that can be used for enhancing the seismic performance of existing nominally ductile RC frame structures. The studied rehabilitation techniques include (1) introducing a RC structural wall, (2) using steel X-bracings (3) using diagonal fibre reinforced polymer strips (FRP bracings), and (4) wrapping or partially wrapping the frame members (columns and beams) using FRP composites. 5- and 15-storey existing frame models were studied representing low- and high-rise frames. The cases of bare frame and masonry-infilled frame were also considered. The existing frames were rehabilitated and subjected to three types of ground motion records with different frequency contents. The seismic performance of the existing and rehabilitated frames was evaluated in terms of the maximum applied peak ground acceleration resisted by the frames, maximum inter-storey drift ratio, maximum storey shear-to-weight ratio and energy dissipation capacity.

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