Occupant Friendly Seismic Retrofit (OFR) of RC Framed Buildings

Abstract

An innovative non-evacuation retrofitting technique is being developed for Re buildings. The introduction of cast-in-place Re infill walls is very effective, but involves messy construction work and requires evacuation. The proposed method transforms existing hollow masonry infill walls by reinforcing them with precast concrete panels epoxy glued to the wall and frame members. Three tests have so far been performed under reversed cyclic loading. The first specimen was an ordinary Re frame with hollow brick infill walls, to serve as a reference specimen. The infills of the other two specimens were strengthened with epoxy glued precast concrete panels. Both strengthened specimens exhibited superior behaviour and capacity, indicating the potential of the retrofitting technique.