RETROFITTING OF PRECAST INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
With the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, and the construction company Kolektor CPG we develop and provide an innovative solution for retrofitting of vulnerable precast industrial and commercial buildings with seismic restrainers, which prevent the collapse of facade panels.
Past earthquakes in Italy (2009 and 2012) and Croatia (2020) showed that the seismic performance of cladding panels in precast industrial and commercial buildings was inadequate. In cooperation with the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, University of Ljubljana and construction company Kolektor CPG we developed a special system for the protection of cladding panels with so-called seismic restrainers*, which consist of high-strength synthetic fibre ropes and special anchoring elements. The restrainers are designed in a way to be activated only when the existing cladding-to-structure connections fail, thus preventing cladding panels from falling. This is an additional protection that can effectively prevent human casualties, equipment damage, damage to stored products, or other direct or indirect economic damage. It is primarily intended for the protection of claddings in existing buildings, but it can also be used in new buildings.
*Inventors: Blaž Zoubek, Prof. Tatjana Isaković and Prof. Matej Fischinger
Numerous static and dynamic tests on seismic restraints have already been performed in the laboratories of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy and the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute. The tests confirmed that restrainers can withstand extremely high dynamic loads that might occur during earthquakes. In addition to their respectable load-bearing capacity, they are characterised by corrosion resistance, relatively low weight and simple installation on both new and existing buildings. These properties have been achieved by combining innovative materials and anchoring systems into a robust whole.
More information about this innovation can be found on the website of the University of Ljubljana.