Case Studies of Rehabilitation, Repair, Retrofitting, and Strengthening of Structures

Abstract

<p>This document provides case studies of structural rehabilita-tion, repair, retrofitting, strengthening, and upgrading of structures, which might be encompassed – in short – by the convenient umbrella terms “Conservation / Upgrading of Existing Structures”. The selected studies presented in this SED cover a variety of structural types from different countries.</p> <p>Strengthening and rehabilitation of structures is usually a challenge because of uncertainties associated with old struc-tures and difficulties due to restrictions on the geometry and materials used, as well as other structural or functional con-straints. When repairing an existing structure the engineers involved have plenty of possibilities, lots of constraints, and in some cases there are no applicable codes. Strengthening and rehabilitating is sometimes a complex and exciting work; an art.</p> <p>The book is a summary of practices to help structural engineers. The reader of this book will discover different approaches to put forward strengthening or rehabilitation projects. Even identical technical problems could have very different efficient solutions, as discussed in the papers, considering structural, environmental, economic factors, as well as contractor and designer experience, materials, etc.</p>