Seismic Strengthening of Non-Ductile R/C Structures Using Infill Wall or Ductile Steel Bracing

Abstract

This study deals with the seismic assessment and retrofitting of existing non-ductile R/C structures and the issue of selecting effective strengthening solutions is addressed. A displacement based procedure using nonlinear static pushover analyses is adopted in order to assess the main characteristics of the original structure and to select valuable retrofitting strategies. The procedure is applied to a four-storey R/C frame tested at the JRC ELSA Laboratory some years ago. The R/C frame was designed for gravity loads without specific earthquake-resistant provisions. Accurate numerical models are developed to reproduce the seismic response of the R/C frame in both the original and retrofitted configurations. The effectiveness of two strengthening techniques is examined. First, a retrofitting intervention is carried out by adding a concrete shear wall to the short bay of the frame. This solution is efficient in controlling global lateral drift and thus reducing damage in structural members. Then, a retrofitting solution involving the introduction of eccentric steel bracing is investigated in order to reduce the displacement demand and to increase the energy dissipation capacity of the frame. Nonlinear dynamic analyses are performed to assess and compare the seismic response of the frame in the original and retrofitted configurations.