Retrofitting Buildings Using Shear Panels

Seismic retrofitting in earthquake-prone countries is an important factor for minimizing seismic damage and its consequent life and financial losses. The purpose of seismic retrofitting is to achieve more resistance and ductility. Using shear panels is one of seismic retrofitting methods which improve seismic behavior of the whole structure. Shear panels increase structural bearing capacity against auxiliary forces, especially earthquake. Thus, in order to increase ductility capacity, shear panels which have a dissipating effect could be used in braced frames. Shear panels with stiffeners made of materials with low yield stress have high capability in energy absorption and stable hysteresis cycles and prevent occurrence of sudden buckling. Therefore, using shear panels is one of retrofitting methods that have attracted great attention. Accordingly, their usage has been increasing in recent years and thus, considering its advantages, it has attracted the attention of researchers.