Innovative Seismic Retrofit Technique for Existing RC Buildings Using External Corrugated Steel Plate Walls

Abstract eng:
In Japan, strengthening by steel braces has been one of the common seismic retrofit techniques for vulnerable existing RC buildings. Generally, the implementation of existing retrofit techniques alters external buildings’ original design, and steel braces are not an exception. Therefore, this paper proposes a new retrofit technique that deals with the seismic aspect by providing the retrofitted building with sufficient seismic capacity and, at the same time, it provides existing buildings with a vitalized exterior design without altering neither the location nor the size of windows. The proposed retrofit technique uses corrugated steel plate walls within steel frames. These steel frames are installed externally to existing RC buildings and connected to their RC beams using mechanical anchors. Furthermore, this technique enables designers to overhang balconies, which may serve as solar shadings and natural drafts. The seismic performance of the proposed retrofitting was confirmed by experimental test under simulated seismic loading. The structural experimental test was conducted on a single one half scale specimen, representative of existing RC frames. The one-story one-span specimen was composed of two columns and two beams simulating a part of a frame. This paper reports the retrofit process of the proposed technique and its features, the related experimental test results and an outline of the first project where the proposed new retrofit technique was applied.

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