A numerical model database for seismic retrofitting of existing RC structures towards urban renewal

Urban buildings face increasingly prominent issues of decreased seismic performance due to the combined effects of environmental factors and disasters over time. Structural retrofitting provides a reasonable and effective approach to improving the seismic capacity of existing buildings. Given the growing stock of existing buildings and the rising demand for retrofitting, this paper develops a numerical model database using the OpenSEES platform to rapidly assess the seismic performance of buildings after retrofitting. The model database includes numerical simulation methods for four local retrofitting techniques, namely the section enlarging method, concrete replacing method, steel encasing method, and fiber-reinforced polymer wrapping method, as well as numerical simulation methods for four global retrofitting techniques, namely steel brace retrofitting, energy dissipation retrofitting, seismic isolation retrofitting, and external sub-structure retrofitting, all of which are commonly used to enhance the performance of reinforced concrete buildings. The proposed model database was applied in case studies of a 5-story and an 8-story reinforced concrete office building, where various retrofitting techniques were analyzed and compared for their effectiveness in improving structural performance, demonstrating the utility of the model database. The present study can provide valuable guidance for developing reasonable retrofitting strategies for reinforced concrete buildings in practical engineering applications.