Development of seismic retrofit techniques for reinfored concrete structures

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The performance of physical infrastructure during recent earthquakes has clearly demonstrated that a large segment of existing infrastructure, including critical facilities, is vulnerable to seismic excitations. Buildings designed prior to the enactment of modern seismic design guidelines of 1970's, as well as those built more recently without appropriate seismic design and detailing practices, pose particularly high seismic risk. Seismic design practices for bridges have a more recent history, leaving the majority of bridge infrastructure and vital transportation networks vulnerable to seismic damage. It is economically not feasible and practical to replace the deficient infrastructure with new and improved structures and facilities. Therefore, seismic retrofitting (rehabilitation and strengthening) remains to be an effective and viable seismic risk mitigation strategy.