A Study On Seismic Retrofitting Of Columns And Beams With Steel Jacketing.

Abstract

Seismic retrofitting is an essential strategy to improve the performance of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings against earthquakes. In Bangladesh, where seismic vulnerability has become a growing concern due to increasing urbanization and the country’s location in an active seismic zone, strengthening existing structures has high importance. This study focuses on the retrofitting of columns and beams using steel jacketing techniques, with the numerical modeling and analysis carried out in ETABS 17. The objective is to investigate how steel jacketing can improve the load-carrying capacity, stiffness, and ductility of RC members while reducing drift and enhancing resistance against earthquake magnitudes defined in BNBC 2020. Through analytical modeling, both original and retrofitted structures are compared in terms of inter-story drift, base shear, and overall stability during seismic loading. Results demonstrate that steel jacketing significantly increases the lateral strength and reduces seismic drift, thereby providing an effective and economical retrofitting solution in compliance with BNBC 2020 requirements. This research contributes to practical applications in structural engineering, highlighting a feasible method for extending the service life and safety of vulnerable structures in seismic-prone regions.