What is Retrofitting | Methods of Retrofitting | Retrofitting Purpose, Advantages, Disadvantages

What is Retrofitting?

The process of changing or repairing something after it has been manufactured is known as retrofitting. After a building’s construction and occupation, retrofitting work entails modifying or repairing the structure system. As a result of this treatment, the structure’s safety and durability have improved.

Buildings that have been impacted by failures and damage caused by seismic forces must be retrofitted. Your home can be retrofitted to make it more resistant to seismic activity caused by earthquakes.

Structure retrofitting refers to modifying an existing structure to safeguard it from flooding or other risks such as high winds and earthquakes.

Retrofitting RCC structural members are done to restore the strength of structural concrete parts that have deteriorated. Poor craftsmanship, design mistakes, and deterioration owing to the aggression of hazardous chemicals can all cause concrete structural elements to lose strength.

The primary purpose of retrofitting is to strengthen existing structures and make them earthquake-resistant.

Purpose of Retrofitting:

As time passes, the structure is impacted by a variety of environmental conditions. The most devastating of these variables is an earthquake, which disrupts the building’s internal structure, causing the structure to progressively lose its strength and stability. As a result, the structure becomes unfit for future usage and may result in significant financial loss.

The deterioration of the concrete element structure is progressing at an alarming rate. It has been confirmed that even if all of the relevant building codes are followed, there is still a substantial danger of concrete element deterioration and reinforcing corrosion.

Steel corrosion is one of the most serious causes of reinforced concrete element deterioration, and it can cause fractures, diminish the effective area of the reinforcement, spall the concrete cover, and even lead to collapse.

There are a variety of issues that structural members face, all of which must be addressed. Some of the most typical issues include:

• Cracks in the structure
• structural members are harmed
• Loading too much
• Design or construction flaws
• Changes to the structural system
• Seismic harm
• Honeycombs corrode owing to penetration

Methods of Retrofitting of Building:

The most typical methods of retrofitting a structure are as follows:

• Putting in a New Shear Wall
• Including Steel Bracing in the Design
• Techniques for Thickening Walls
• Technique for Isolating the Base
• Technique for Mass Reduction
• Jacketing Techniques
• Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)
• Epoxy Injection Method
• External Plate Bonding

Advantages of Retrofitting:

• Increases the building’s lifespan.
• It is cost-effective.
• Aids in the improvement of stability and long-term viability.
• Prepares the structure to withstand various weather conditions.
• It aids in the structure’s strengthening and enhancement.

Disadvantages of Retrofitting:

• Small acts of recklessness can have far-reaching consequences.
• It’s possible that it will cause damage to historical structures.
• Before retrofitting, a critical and expert examination is required.
• Before beginning with the retrofit, an expert analysis is required.
• Heritage sites are at a high risk of being harmed.
• Normal carelessness could result in serious consequences.
• The technician participating must have a high level of knowledge.

Analysis of Retrofitting:

It’s critical to have a systematic technique to assess the state of the cement and support before implementing any maintenance strategy.

This will necessitate a highly specific assessment and understanding of the behavior of the fundamental structures that are being repaired. Materials and methods for retrofitting are chosen based on these analyses.

This ensures that everyone is safe. After considering the administration life of designs that are built up based on financial and technological developments, the decision to retrofit or replace a structure or its components can be made.