Wednesday, September 12, 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 measures to reinforce the columns. Buildings which have column support are supposed to be augmented using different measures. This includes measures such use of reinforced concrete, steel plate winding, aramid fiber, and carbon fiber. Carbon fiber and aramid are the best measures since they are easy to install and do not add a lot of weight to the building foundation.

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.

Reinforce weak concrete walls. Weak walls can be a great menace to a non-ductile wall. Therefore, they need to be reinforced with reinforced concrete to strengthen them. Such measure is less costly and effective since it is done to weak walls only. The weight that is added through this method can also enhance the resistance of a building if the foundation is strong enough to withstand the pressure. Otherwise, it can be a great risk if the total building exceeds the foundation capacity.

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.

Consider the seismic-isolation measures. Seismic-isolation is considered to reduce the effect of structural shaking. It considers the use of various devices and technology as well. You expect common devices such as rubber and lead which are capable of absorbing the rate of shock produced. The most common technique that is used involves isolating specific rooms and floors using a complex system.

Acquaint with relevant shake control measures. Various effects result from a shaking building. This risk can be reduced through the installation of a tank or a heavy material on the top of a building and using ceiling damping devices. Building owners can as well adopt built-in dampers which are external braces that have built-in damping systems.

Make sure that you have complied with all regulations concerning this process. Construction authorities within earthquake-prone areas have established strict measures and deadlines supposed to be observed by structure owners. As a building owner, you should hire a reliable company to assess the condition of your house to avoid placing it under the risk of demolition. This is considered if the measures are not undertaken within the provided time.




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