Low-cost retrofitting solutions for RC frames using masonry infill panels

A large number of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures built in earthquake-prone areas such as Haiti are vulnerable to strong ground motions. Structures in developing countries need low-cost seismic retrofit solutions to reduce their vulnerability. This paper investigates the feasibility of using masonry infill walls to reduce deformations and damage caused by strong ground motions in brittle and weak RC frames designed only for gravity loads. A numerical experiment was conducted in which several idealized prototypes representing RC frame structures of school buildings damaged during the Port-au-Prince earthquake (Haiti, 2010) were strengthened by adding elements representing masonry infill walls arranged in different configurations. Each configuration was characterized by the ratio Rm of the area of walls in the direction of the ground motion (in plan) installed in each story to the total floor area. The numerical representations of these idealized RC frame structures with different values of Rm were (hypothetically) subjected to three major earthquakes with peak ground accelerations of approximately 0.5g. The results of the non-linear dynamic response analyses were summarized in tentative relationships between Rm and four parameters commonly used to characterize the seismic response of structures: interstory drift, Park and Ang indexes of damage, and total amount of energy dissipated by the main frame. It was found that Rm=4% is a reasonable minimum design value for seismic retrofitting purposes in cases in which available resources are not sufficient to afford conventional retrofit measures.

Law Quadrangle

York and Sawyer, architects. Given to the university by William W. Cook, the four buildings comprising the Law Quadrangle with their construction dates are: the Lawyers Club, 1924; the John P. Cook Dormitory, 1930; the Legal Research Building, 1931, and Hutchins Hall, 1933. The Legal Research Building includes the original library.

Law Quad & students

York and Sawyer, architects. Given to the university by William W. Cook, the four buildings comprising the Law Quadrangle with their construction dates are: the Lawyers Club, 1924; the John P. Cook Dormitory, 1930; the Legal Research Building, 1931, and Hutchins Hall, 1933. The Legal Research Building includes the original library.

Law Quadrangle

York and Sawyer, architects. Given to the university by William W. Cook, the four buildings comprising the Law Quadrangle with their construction dates are: the Lawyers Club, 1924; the John P. Cook Dormitory, 1930; the Legal Research Building, 1931, and Hutchins Hall, 1933. The Legal Research Building includes the original library. News Service stamp on verso.

Reglamento para la construcción de edificios escolares : decreto aprobatorio, fecha 13 de octubre de 1906 /

Mode of access: Internet.

Die schulstätten der zukunft,

Mode of access: Internet.

Airborne asbestos levels in schools /

Mode of access: Internet.

The ABCs of asbestos in schools.

Mode of access: Internet.

Equipment and furnishings for homemaking centers : guide for selection.

On t.p.: Supplement to planning and equipping the homemaking department, Bulletin no. 20, Division of School Buildings and Grounds.

French schools : a report of the U.S. team visit to France from November 13 to 23, 1977 /

Mode of access: Internet.

Rural schoolhouses ; building plans, requirements, suggestions.

Mode of access: Internet.

Schoolhouses and their equipment : with plans and illustrations of the newest schoolhouse architecture /

Advertising matter interspersed.

Manual for architects.

At head of title: Cincinnati Public Schools.

Survey of education in West Virginia ....

Prepared under the direction of George M. Ford, state superintendent of free schools, in cooperation with the State board of education. cf. v. 1, p. iii.