Describe the Process of Retrofitting Existing Buildings and Evaluate the Effectiveness of it in Improving the Seismic Performance of Structures in Earthquake-prone Regions

Abstract

At present, earthquakes are a serious problem for building. Severe damages and collapses of buildings were caused by earthquakes in different degrees. It is reported that there are more than 68,858 deaths and hundreds of billions RMB losses in the May 12, 2008 Great Wenchuan Earthquake [16]. So, more attention should be paid to seismic technology. In order to face the challenges of earthquake on building, the seismic retrofitting was put forward, which “is the modification of existing structures to make them more resistant to seismic activity, ground motion, or soil failure due to earthquakes”