Brief
Explore how Italian researchers applied innovative seismic retrofitting techniques to revitalize a corroded concrete building in Sicily, enhancing structural integrity and seismic resistance.
Insight
Italian researchers recently evaluated a concrete building in Sicily that underwent necessary seismic retrofitting due to extensive corrosion-induced degradation. This building, constructed in the early 1960s, originally functioned as a frame supporting a belvedere square without intermediate floors. Years of exposure to atmospheric agents led to significant deterioration, prompting a complete structural reassessment and subsequent retrofitting to meet current seismic standards and add new functionalities.
The study utilized both linear dynamic and nonlinear static analyses, employing finite element software to accurately simulate the building’s performance under seismic conditions. The analysis considered various factors, including geometry, existing material properties, and the extent of corrosion. The seismic load parameters were set according to Italian building codes, which helped in identifying structural deficiencies and failure mechanisms.
The retrofit interventions proposed and implemented included the construction of new steel-concrete composite floors, concrete and steel jacketing of columns, application of FRP plates to enhance beam strength, and installation of new steel braces to improve overall stability. These measures aimed to redistribute the mass and stiffness of the structure, thus mitigating eccentricity and torsional effects during seismic events.
Post-retrofit analyses indicated a notable improvement in structural performance, showcasing increased displacement capabilities and base shear, alongside reduced stress and deformation in critical elements. The interventions not only restored the degraded elements but also adapted the building to accommodate additional floors and changes in layout.
The research findings underscore the efficacy of the applied retrofit strategies, which included mass and stiffness redistribution coupled with local strengthening. Techniques such as jacketing and FRP wrapping were particularly effective in confining beam-column joints and enhancing the axial and bending capacity of columns, which significantly improved the building’s seismic resilience with minimal alterations to existing dimensions.
Looking ahead, the researchers recommended further testing of retrofitted elements under cyclic loading to validate these techniques. They also advocated for the optimization of intervention designs to balance cost and performance, emphasizing sustainability in future projects. The study sets a precedent for similar future endeavors in regions facing degradation challenges in concrete structures.
Highlight
- The analysis considered various factors, including geometry, existing material properties, and the extent of corrosion.
- The retrofit interventions proposed and implemented included the construction of new steel-concrete composite floors, concrete and steel jacketing of columns, application of FRP plates to enhance beam strength, and installation of new steel braces to improve overall stability.
- Techniques such as jacketing and FRP wrapping were particularly effective in confining beam-column joints and enhancing the axial and bending capacity of columns, which significantly improved the building’s seismic resilience with minimal alterations to existing dimensions.
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