How Concrete Structures Undergo Seismic Retrofitting?

You can apply the seismic retrofitting process for various types of structures, such as the ones with wood and concrete as their primary materials. Seismic retrofitting is part of the standard safety measurements for buildings around the state of California, which includes the city of Los Angeles, and it is mandatory for the buildings identified by the government.

Identified buildings mean the buildings don’t follow the standard safety requirements and need to undergo the seismic retrofitting process. So, how can concrete structures undergo the seismic retrofitting process?

Here are 3 methods that professional seismic retrofitting engineers can apply to the concrete structures:

1. Concrete Jacketing

The most common way to retrofit concrete structures is by applying the technique called concrete jacketing. Concrete jacketing is the technique that can strengthen concrete structures by covering them with additional materials. The additional materials can be steel or fiber reinforced polymer (FRP), which can give more strength to each part of the concrete structure. Concrete jacketing is necessary to apply for the vertical surface parts of the concrete building.

Concrete jacketing can help add more load capacity for the overall building, making it even more protected during an earthquake. Thanks to concrete jacketing, the building can withstand medium to severe earthquakes with minimum to no damage.

2. Steel Caging

Steel caging is the technique for seismic retrofitting that adds the cages of steel to the concrete columns of a building. The steel cages installed on these columns can help strengthen the columns and handle any massive shaking during an earthquake. Thus, with the steel cages installed, the concrete building can withstand medium to severe earthquakes and keep the damages to a minimum.

Multiple-story buildings will need the steel caging technique to help them maintain balance and stability during an earthquake. The steel cages will take all the massive shaking of the earthquake and keep the force of impact to a minimum.

3. Column Wrapping with CFRP

Column wrapping with CFRP is another method of seismic retrofitting for concrete structures. It’s the method of wrapping the columns of a concrete building with carbon fiber reinforced polymer, which can help increase the axial strength of concrete structures. Thus, with the column wrapping method, you can expect the concrete structure to withstand the earthquake forces even better.

This method involves wrapping all columns in a concrete building with the CFRP materials, which is quite a simple process when compared to the other methods. Aside from strengthening the concrete building, column wrapping with CFRP can also repair any damages to the columns to prevent it from becoming the weakest points in the concrete building.

Conclusion

These are various seismic retrofitting methods you can apply for concrete structures. Depending on the construction type and the height of the building, the retrofitting process can take longer time and cost more money to complete. It is important for you to work only with licensed professionals in seismic retrofitting for the best result.

Remember, your goal is to protect your building from collapsing during an earthquake, thus protecting all the people living in it. So, you need to apply the retrofitting plan for your building in the best way possible.