Seismic isolation is a method to reduce the destructive effects of earthquakes on a structure in which the structure is separated from its foundation by devices called seismic isolators. As a result, the horizontal movements of the earthquake transmitted to the structure are reduced. The seismic isolation is used for both newly constructed structures as well as for retrofitting the existing bui...

Seismic retrofitting of under-designed structures is a consolidated approach to risk management. Several options are available for the achievement of the vulnerability reduction goals, each of those having peculiar performances in respect of different technical and non-structural criteria. Selection of the best solution is a non-trivial task, because criteria may conflict each other. MultiCrite...

Maintaining the functionality, productivity, and safety of communities necessitates the seismic reliability of lifeline infrastructure networks. However, assessing the reliability of an infrastructure network is a nontrivial task due to the variability of ground motion and the complexity of the response of the network resulting from that ground motion. Even more challenging is the task of ident...

The main purpose of this work is to compare different criteria for the seismic strengthening of r.c. framed buildings in order to find the optimal combinations of these retrofitting techniques. To this end, a numerical investigation is carried out with reference to the town hall of Spilinga (Italy), a r.c. framed structure with an L-shaped plan built at the beginning of the 1960s. Five structur...

Many existing reinforced concrete structures were constructed with substandard characteristics. Low quality concrete, poor transverse reinforcement details and insufficient flexural strength are among the most common deficiencies. While substandard structures are in need of retrofitting, particularly in seismic areas, problems such as high costs and disturbance to occupants are major obstacles ...

This study focuses on developing fragility-based seismic vulnerability assessment techniques for seismically retrofitted multi-column bridge bent. Fragility curves are developed using Probabilistic Seismic Demand Model (PSDM) to assess the relative performance of different retrofit methods under near fault ground motions. Two different retrofit techniques namely CFRP jacketing and ECC jacketing...

The case studied in the paper proves that thickening the pile cap is an effective seismic retrofit alternative to strengthen a pile group foundation. Unlike the typical seismic retrofitting of foundation, the proposed method eliminates the need to drive long piles into existing bridge substructures, substantially reducing cost, construction time and traffic interruption. The method thickens the...