Fall 2013

Seismic Retrofitting Options of Masonry and Concrete Structures

by

Md. Arman Habib, Mohammed Salauddin & Dipan Dhali

One objective of the present work is to qualitatively explore the merits of retrofit measures applied to some structural preparations in the form of Fiber Reinforced Polymer, within affordable means. The effectiveness of this retrofitting option is tested in the laboratory by using them for cylinders and cubes jacketed to cylinders, subjecting them to compressive tests. Overall, the effects of retrofit strategies are found to be positive for both the cylinders and jacketed cylinders; with the cylinders showing much improved results than the jacketed cylinders. However, some limitations have been observed in the molding and jacketing process, as well in the measurement of strain, suggesting the necessity of a wider range of data. Retrofitting options were also carried out on sets of concrete beams. Due to certain limitations Fiber Reinforced Polymer was not used in the beams; instead steel plates were attached at the bottom surfaces of beams with Epoxy resin. Some beams were tested under the effect of axial load and 2-point loading and some were tested under the effect of 2-point loading only. Results varied, but were positive.

Another purpose of the work is modeling a masonry structure with timber and apply retrofit options on it in the forms of through lintel and corner binding of the timber walls. A real life masonry structure could not be used, due to certain limitations. However the retrofitting phenomena were portrayed into the timber model and are checked for any improvement under shaking caused by the shake table. The vibrations and displacements were scaled in reference to the 1940’s El Centro earthquake data. The results were very positive, with all the retrofitting options working very well on the timber model.