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High Reliability Building Structures: Retrofits, Designs and Applications, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 4242

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanics and Materials, University of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Interests: structural reliability; new buildings; existing buildings; structural safety; retrofit
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The structural reliability of buildings is a topic encountered on a daily basis. It comprises building design, construction, operation and maintenance practices in order to ensure functionality, especially following events that alter buildings’ state of health. Monitoring new buildings and monitoring and improving existing buildings are increasingly important practices; for most existing buildings, their design life has been reached or will be reached in the near future. For this reason, buildings must be appropriately evaluated (in the case of new constructions) and re-evaluated (in the case of extant buildings) by designers; hence, high reliability must be guaranteed with innovative monitoring techniques and new design philosophies. Cost–benefit analysis procedures that reflect the life cycle of retrofitting solutions are simple. However, determining the parameters necessary to perform such analyses is difficult and requires considerable engineering expertise. Such parameters include the annual probability of ground movements, damage to the structure before and after retrofitting, accident rates, and the extent of building downtime.

Dr. Raffaele Pucinotti
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • building structures
  • structural safety
  • reliability
  • retrofit
  • designs

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 3602 KiB  
Article
Magnetic Non-Destructive Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Structures—Methodology, System, and Identification Results
by Paweł Karol Frankowski, Piotr Majzner, Marcin Mąka, Tomasz Stawicki and Tomasz Chady
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(24), 11695; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411695 - 14 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1394
Abstract
This paper aims to present a non-destructive magnetic method developed for simultaneously identifying key parameters in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This method is designed to evaluate concrete structures containing dense reinforcement meshes. The development process of the system is presented step by step. [...] Read more.
This paper aims to present a non-destructive magnetic method developed for simultaneously identifying key parameters in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This method is designed to evaluate concrete structures containing dense reinforcement meshes. The development process of the system is presented step by step. First, the hardware layer of the system is discussed and documented. The proposed modifications to the excitation system enhanced the method’s effectiveness compared to the conventional Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) technique. Next, this paper presents the extracted association rules that connect the parameters of the RC structure to the properties of resultant waveforms. The relations are verified with measurement results. Finally, the identification of the model’s design, implementation, and deployment processes are presented. A universal methodology for non-destructive testing investigations was developed and is described throughout the research. Full article
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18 pages, 5296 KiB  
Article
A Novel Approach to Monitoring the Performance of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Retrofitting in Reinforced Concrete Beam–Column Joints
by George M. Sapidis, Maria C. Naoum, Nikos A. Papadopoulos, Emmanouil Golias, Chris G. Karayannis and Constantin E. Chalioris
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(20), 9173; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209173 - 10 Oct 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1276
Abstract
Due to insufficient transverse reinforcement, the retrofitting of beam–column joints (BCJs) in existing reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures is commonly required to alter their brittle behavior. The construction industry has extensively embraced carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (C-FRPs) as near-surface-mounted (NSM) reinforcement. Monitoring the performance of [...] Read more.
Due to insufficient transverse reinforcement, the retrofitting of beam–column joints (BCJs) in existing reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures is commonly required to alter their brittle behavior. The construction industry has extensively embraced carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (C-FRPs) as near-surface-mounted (NSM) reinforcement. Monitoring the performance of C-FRP retrofitting is crucial due to the wide range of factors influencing its effectiveness. A novel methodology has been implemented to assess the efficacy of the C-FRP retrofitting method in this study. This approach was validated through experimental investigation of full-scale BCJs, which were retrofitted with C-FRP ropes and subjected to cyclic loading. Furthermore, piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) patches were placed on the NSM C-FRP ropes, and the electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) method was employed to monitor the retrofitting technique’s performance. A combination of the commonly used statistical damage index root mean squared deviation (RMSD) and a hierarchical clustering-based approach (HCA) was used to assess the performance of the C-FRP retrofitting technique. The experimental investigation results strongly indicate the proposed approach’s positive impact on the reliable assessment of C-FRP retrofitting performance. Thus, the proposed approach enhances the safety and resilience of retrofitted BCJs in RC structures. Full article
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13 pages, 7337 KiB  
Article
Natural Lime–Cork Mortar for the Seismic and Energetic Retrofit of Infill Walls: Design, Materials, and Method
by Rocco Buda and Raffaele Pucinotti
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(17), 7503; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14177503 - 25 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1163
Abstract
Recent seismic events have prompted research into innovative and sustainable materials for strengthening and repairing obsolete and vulnerable buildings. These earthquakes have exposed the high seismic vulnerability of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, particularly in secondary structural elements like infill walls. In addition [...] Read more.
Recent seismic events have prompted research into innovative and sustainable materials for strengthening and repairing obsolete and vulnerable buildings. These earthquakes have exposed the high seismic vulnerability of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, particularly in secondary structural elements like infill walls. In addition to structural issues, these buildings often face significant energy deficiencies, such as thermal bridges, due to inadequate insulation. Traditionally, structural and energy improvements for residential buildings are addressed separately with different methods and protocols. This preliminary study is part of a broader research initiative at the University of Reggio Calabria (Italy), aiming to design an innovative fiber-reinforced plaster using natural, sustainable, and locally produced materials to enhance the energy and structural performance of existing wall infills. The study investigates two plaster matrices made of natural hydraulic lime and silica sand, with 15% and 30% cork granules added. Mechanical and thermophysical tests on multiple specimens were conducted to evaluate their suitability for seismic and energy retrofitting of infill walls. Results indicate that adding cork reduces mechanical strength by approximately 42% at a 30% cork content without compromising its use in seismic retrofitting. Thermophysical tests show improved thermal performance with a higher cork content. These findings suggest that the lime–cork mixture at 30% is effective, offering excellent ductility and serving as a promising alternative to traditional cementitious plaster systems. The next experimental phase will test matrices with varying percentages of gorse fiber. Full article
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