Seismic damage of building structures and their rehabilitation

Abstract

Building’s structures were designed and built according to different standards that were valid at the time of construction. Those standards were, more or less, less demanding than the current European, American and other modern standards. Serious earthquakes events cause damage of the elements, with different level, even their collapse. It is very important to save damaged or weakened structures by emergency strengthening, and to perform rehabilitation of their seismic resistance. The method of evaluation of seismic resistance of damaged elements and structures are discussed. After evaluation of the damage degree and determination of required and available seismic resistance of structures, redesign must be performed. Also, method of rehabilitation of the elements and entire damaged building structures are analysed, including both traditional and advanced techniques. The focus of this paper is on reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, and less on masonry and mixed structures. Post-earthquake assessment and analysis of seismic performance are analysed. Review and comparison of international Code provisionsrelated to topic are discussed as well. Criteria for the choice of structural interventions are discussed, as well.