Tension-only ideal dissipative bracing for the seismic retrofit of precast industrial buildings

Abstract New precast frame industrial structures are seismically designed according to reliable modern criteria. However, most of the existing built stock hosting many workers and both regular strategic activities was detailed neglecting earthquake load or outdated seismic design criteria regulations. Its retrofit is a main challenge for Engineering Community critical objective institutional private bodies. Among envisaged solutions, introduction dissipative braces appears be promising, although mostly inapplicable these buildings, due brace lengths required by their typical large dimensions related proportioning against buckling. In this paper, an innovative retrofitting technique based on monolateral bracing investigated. The device proposed in yet phase preliminary testing, dissipates energy through friction tension only while freely deforming compression, which makes issue compressive buckling irrelevant. A numerical analysis carried out investigate efficiency buildings with aim explore its feasibility better orient definition slip threshold range future development physical device. simplified Capacity Spectrum Method (CSM) employed global framing structural behaviour highly nonlinear retrofitted under actions. tool set automatically apply CSM few parameters governing response structures. efficacy critically analysed comparison results dynamic analyses. smart process aimed at efficient slip/yield given configuration presented application identification performance indicator either displacement, shear force, equivalent dissipation combination them.