Seismic retrofit of non-code conforming reinforced concrete buildings

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Canadian reinforced concrete (RC) buildings designed and constructed before 1970 are seismically vulnerable and have to be retrofitted. The province of British Columbia, for example, is undertaking a comprehensive school seismic upgrading program to make schools safer. This process entails first carrying out a thorough risk assessment and subsequently undertaking risk management with consideration of retrofitting. Various retrofitting techniques are readily available that can improve strength, ductility, and both strength and ductility of the RC system. Selection of the retrofitting technique necessitates consideration of availability of material, sustainability, and aesthetics, among others. In this project, one such sustainable material, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), as a viable retrofitting techniques is proposed. Previous studies on the use CLT infill in steel structures have shown that the CLT infill considerably increases strength of the system, and reduces the seismic vulnerability. Furthermore, of the two CLT manufactures in Canada, Structurlam (http://structurlam.com/), is located in Penticton, BC that ensures availability of the material for retrofitting seismically deficient buildings in BC and Canada.