Abstract
Several alternative seismic retrofit and strengthening solutions have been studied in the past and adopted in practical applications ranging from conventional techniques, utilizing braces, jacketing or infills, to more recent approaches such as supplemental damping devices or advanced materials (e.g. Fibre Reinforced Polymers, FRP, or Shape Memory Alloys, SMA). A series of controversial issues are implicit in the complex decision-making process of seismic retrofit, where both rational and counter-intuitive solutions can satisfy some of the most critical aspects of multi-level performance-based seismic retrofit criteria. Interesting and fascinating suggestions and lessons can be obtained by reviewing the current trends in new design (i.e. innovative solutions for the future generation of buildings systems) as well as the architectural solutions used by the ancients. While walking this “bridge of knowledge” of our cultural heritage with the critical eyes of a curious and passionate observer, we can observe surprising commonality in engineering problems and their successful (and recently attempted) solutions. Understanding and implementing this heritage could lead to a uniquely stable platform for major breakthroughs in the development of “new solutions” in seismic design and retrofit.
Highlights
MOVING TO A PERFORMANCE-BASED SEISMICRETROFIT APPROACHIn the relatively recent past, the crucial need for strengthening or retrofitting existing modern structures designed with substandard details, in order to withstand seismic loads without collapsing or with relatively moderate damage, has been further emphasized by the catastrophic effects of earthquake events (Turkey, Colombia and Taiwan, 1999, India 2001).Alternative seismic retrofit and strengthening solutions have been studied in the past and adopted in practical applications ranging from conventional techniques, which utilize braces, jacketing or infills, to more recent approaches including base isolation, supplemental damping devices or advanced materials (e.g. Fibre Reinforced Polymers, FRP, or Shape Memory Alloys, SMA)
Due to improper assumptions or approaches during either the assessment or the retrofit strategy phase, dramatic consequences could occur during the seismic response; conceptual and numerical examples would in this contribution be given referring to apparently safe structures revealing to be prone to suffer major damage or even total collapse as well as to improper retrofit interventions which could condemn the structure to an avoidable collapse
Based on the advanced controlled rocking solutions presented in the following paragraphs, it could be suggested that a selective weakening is, counter intuitively, performed in order to achieve the desired performance within a retrofit
Summary
Several alternative seismic retrofit and strengthening solutions have been studied in the past and adopted in practical applications ranging from conventional techniques, utilizing braces, jacketing or infills, to more recent approaches such as supplemental damping devices or advanced materials (e.g. Fibre Reinforced Polymers, FRP, or Shape Memory Alloys, SMA). Interesting and fascinating suggestions and lessons can be obtained by reviewing the current trends in new design (i.e. innovative solutions for the future generation of buildings systems) as well as the architectural solutions used by the ancients While walking this “bridge of knowledge” of our cultural heritage with the critical eyes of a curious and passionate observer, we can observe surprising commonality in engineering problems and their successful (and recently attempted) solutions. Understanding and implementing this heritage could lead to a uniquely stable platform for major breakthroughs in the development of “new solutions” in seismic design and retrofit
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