Seismic Retrofit of a building may be necessary if a Seismic Risk Assessment reveals deficiencies in how an existing structure responds to an earthquake due to building characteristics, site location, and seismic characteristics of an area. Partner’s seismic rehabilitation services include retrofits of multi-family, commercial office, and light-industrial buildings. Seismic Retrofitting, as part of our Structural Rehabilitation Services, provides a comprehensive package with our structural and seismic evaluation services. Partner’s engineers design customized solutions based on a marriage of the performance objectives of the owner, lender, or insurer. Other design and rehabilitation services include distressed foundation and superstructure repair.
Engineers typically conduct a seismic risk assessment by evaluating factors such as the building’s construction materials, structural design, location, soil conditions, and local seismic hazard levels. This assessment helps determine the level of retrofitting needed to enhance the building’s seismic resilience.
The cost of seismic retrofitting varies depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the structure, the retrofitting techniques employed, and local labor and material costs. Retrofitting costs can range from a few thousand dollars for minor enhancements to millions of dollars for large, complex structures.
It identifies structural weaknesses, estimates potential damage levels in different earthquake scenarios, and recommends retrofitting options.
In some earthquake-prone regions, local building codes or ordinances may require certain buildings, particularly older ones, to undergo seismic retrofitting to comply with safety standards. Building owners should consult with local authorities to determine if retrofitting is mandatory for their properties.
Partner’s experts can navigate between the standards and codes, engineering constraints, including Seismic Safety Commission’s Building Code 19-01 SSC and Earthquakes, and the needs of clients to produce Structural Rehabilitation recommendations and solutions to enhance marketability and reduce risk for a commercial property.
Read more about the California Seismic Ordinances here.