Structural retrofitting method for evaluating RC Jacketing in columns with amplification of moments under seismic loads

Abstract Different reasons can make certain structures need reinforcement to achieve specific levels of safety and performance. The occurrence of events of significant magnitudes, such as earthquakes, are examples of this. Retrofitting vulnerable structures becomes a practice to mitigate the destructive effects of earthquakes, and the RC Jacketing becomes an alternative. The present work studies this type of reinforcement, proposing and applying an assessment methodology under vulnerable construction built in a high seismic risk zone. The diagnostic of the current situation was determined, and the structural suitability was evaluated using RC Jacketing. With the computational software S-Model, created in this research, the effectiveness of the proposed reinforcement was verified, based on the results of the analysis carried out with commercial software. The preload was considered, and the strength of the reinforced column section was verified against all load combinations. The S-Model program was able to verify the non-simultaneous occurrence of the amplification of moments with the most critical loading. Both conditions demand more significant stresses on the element, and therefore the calculation of the steel areas of the column may be underestimated if they are not considered.