Saturday, September 15, 2018

Methods For Non Ductile Buildings Seismic Retrofit

By Jerry Burns


In most cases, buildings that are non-ductile have been the main cause of fatal accidents during an earthquake. These buildings are made out of concrete which is used in floors, walls, roofs and supporting columns. Their high risks are caused by the rigidity of the concrete material which cannot withstand the shock produced during an earthquake. Different measures can be undertaken to reduce the risks that result from such structures. The following are guidelines for non ductile buildings seismic retrofit to take into consideration.

Use relevant column reinforcing measures. Buildings that are supported by columns require to be reinforced using various methods. These methods include the use of carbon fiber reinforcement, aramid fiber steel plate winding, and additional reinforcement concrete column pouring. Concrete pouring usually increases the weight of the building on its foundation which can work as additional reinforcement if the foundation is strong enough.

Consider bracing the building using steel. Steel bracing is a common method that is used in strengthening the building against seismic movements. Columns are braced using X-shaped steel braces inserted between the columns and beams. The use of steel is lighter compared with the addition of resisting earthquake. It also allows light inside the building through the opening formed by the steel braces.

Add reinforced concrete on the wall. Weak walls must be reinforced to ensure that they withstand earthquake shock. This method does not apply to every wall making it less costly and effective. However, it adds the weight on the foundation which can be a disadvantage or advantage according to the weight capacity of the respective base.

Ceiling clipping. This method prevents ceiling collapsing with the installation of earthquake resistance clips. These clips hold the existing ceiling structure on the existing base using conventional methods. The respective clips are engineered to be easily installed and produce an aesthetic appeal at the same time. They are affordable and do not have any significant effect on the construction.

Employ the seismic-isolation process. You can use devices or technology to enhance the capacity of a building using the seismic-isolation procedure. Rubber and lead devices are set at the interim of floors in a story building to absorb the shock produced through seismic activities. Besides that, special devices are placed between two specific rooms and floors to isolate from others to allow free movement during an earthquake.

Check the method used to control the effects of shaking. Various measures require to be considered to reduce the effects of shaking in a building. This includes the use of large water tanks, suspending a mass in the roof, ceiling damping and use of Built-in damping. The built-in damping method uses exterior framing which has dampers which are built-in.

Ensure that you are compliant with all the regulations provided. Most construction authorities expect all non-ductile buildings to be retrofitted within a given window. Failure to observe these regulations within the stipulated period, the respective buildings can end up being demolished. Therefore, building owners should hire experienced companies to analyze their structure and decide on the most suitable retrofitting measure.




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