Author(s)

G. C. Yao & W. C. Chen

Abstract

This study demonstrates that geological characteristics will affect seismic retrofit strategy. An old temple had been retrofitted before but still suffered serious damage from recent earthquakes. In order to find a good solution to strengthen the temple, a computer structural model of the target building was built and its accuracy was verified by using ambient vibration experiment. From nearby seismic station records, we then studied the strong motion characteristics using response spectrum analysis. The results indicated that increasing the building’s stiffness would also increase the input energy. Therefore, we proposed another retrofit scheme to consume earthquake energy instead of increasing the building’s stiffness. A conceptual strengthening model was developed and computer analysis was targeted for the temple’s inter-story drift ratio to be kept under 0.5%. The effect of the final design was analyzed and discussed. Keywords: retrofit, response spectrum analysis, inter-story drift ratio. 1 Introduction Since the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake, higher requirements of seismic capacity have been increasingly recognized in Taiwan. However, many old buildings can only be retrofitted rather than rebuilt. There are plenty of retrofit methods. In addition to raising the stiffness of buildings to reduce the earthquake deformation [1–3], consuming the input energy of earthquakes can also be used for retrofitting purpose [4]. In general, traditional retrofit methods are about adding shear walls and wing walls. Besides, RC jacketing system and Steel-Framing System are also common in Taiwan. These seismic retrofit strategies are to raise the strength and stiffness of buildings to resist earthquakes, and this is considered

Keywords

retrofit, response spectrum analysis, inter-story drift ratio