Seismic Evaluation & Retrofitting of Existing Buildings

Yes. Request a personalized demonstration in English or Tagalog. Share your building information, assessment questions, and proposed strengthening measures. Our Philippines team can demonstrate relevant current tools and discuss the additional requirements of your evaluation workflow

The assessment starts with verified geometry, existing reinforcement, material properties, and observed condition. Drawings, site surveys, test results, alterations, deterioration, lap splices, and anchorage details help establish the analytical model. Missing information and engineering assumptions should be documented.

Yes. ideCAD integrates structural modeling, seismic analysis settings, load combinations, and supported NSCP 2015 design checks for concrete and steel in one BIM workflow. These capabilities are separate from the ASCE-based nonlinear evaluation and seismic retrofit workflow discussed at the seminar, which is not yet a released feature.  

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NSCP 2015 provides Philippine structural loading and design provisions. ASCE 41-23 establishes a performance-based framework for evaluating and retrofitting existing buildings. ACI 369.1 supplies concrete-component provisions as referenced and modified by ASCE 41-23. The assessment should identify the applicable local requirements, the seismic hazard, the performance objective, and the acceptance criteria.

Tier 1 screens for potential seismic deficiencies using building information, inspections, checklists, and required quick checks. Tier 2 investigates identified concerns through deficiency-based evaluation. Tier 3 systematically evaluates the building and any retrofit measures. The tier defines the assessment scope; the analysis procedure is selected separately.

A performance objective pairs a specified seismic hazard level with an acceptable building response. It establishes the earthquake demand and the performance required from the structure and the nonstructural components included in the assessment scope.

Immediate Occupancy (IO), Life Safety (LS), and Collapse Prevention (CP) are structural performance levels. IO addresses limited structural damage; LS provides a margin against collapse while allowing damage; CP addresses severe damage while retaining gravity-load support. A performance objective pairs the selected level with a seismic hazard level.

The NSCP 2015 settings include the structural system, building risk category, soil profile type, seismic zone factor, seismic source type, and distance to the seismic source. These inputs help establish the analysis parameters and response spectrum. For an ASCE 41 assessment, the seismic demand must also be consistent with the selected hazard level and performance objective.

No. Linear static or linear dynamic procedures may be appropriate when their applicability requirements are satisfied. Procedure selection considers structural behavior, irregularities, expected inelastic response, and higher-mode effects. A Tier 3 assessment does not automatically require nonlinear analysis.

Effective stiffness influences periods, drift, and force distribution. It depends on the analysis procedure, component type, axial loading, and relevant deformation mechanisms. Cracking, reinforcement slip, and connection behavior should be represented consistently, with each source of flexibility accounted for appropriately.

When applicable, pushover analysis traces the building’s resistance as lateral displacement increases. Target displacement relates the selected seismic demand to the building’s capacity curve. Component demands at that displacement are evaluated against the relevant acceptance criteria.

Acceptance depends on the selected procedure, performance level, and component behavior. Deformation-controlled actions use the applicable strength-based or deformation-based criteria. Force-controlled actions are checked against lower-bound strength under the relevant provisions. Detailing and potential failure mechanisms influence these checks.

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems can improve confinement, shear resistance, and deformation capacity when appropriately designed. Their contribution depends on material properties, fiber orientation, section shape, effective strain, bond, and anchorage. The strengthening scheme should address the identified deficiency and its governing mechanism.

Verification considers the existing and new materials, interface force transfer, and reinforcement continuity through floors and joints. Axial–flexural behavior, shear resistance, confinement, and deformation capacity must reflect the composite action that the details can develop. Construction sequence and existing column loads also affect compatibility.

Added walls change stiffness, strength, and seismic force distribution. Their interaction with the existing frame, boundary components, diaphragms, collectors, and foundations must be evaluated. Wall detailing and connections should support the assumed behavior and transfer the resulting forces.

Seismic forces need a continuous path through the building to the ground. Joint shear, reinforcement development, lap splices, collectors, anchorage, and foundation response can govern performance. Strengthening a member therefore requires verification of the components and connections that transfer forces to and from it.

Retrofit changes stiffness, strength, deformation capacity, and load distribution. The modified building must be reassessed against the selected performance objective, including load paths, foundation demands, and gravity-load support. Documentation should connect the governing demands and capacities to model assumptions, standard references, and construction details.

Both ideCAD Structural All-in-One and ideCAD One AEC include concrete and steel structural engineering tools. ideCAD One AEC also includes integrated architectural design. Our team can help you select the package that fits your practice.

Select “Get Your Special Offer” and complete the form for your preferred product. Our Philippines team will contact you with your ASEP Cebu special offer, including discount details, the 6-month installment plan, and perpetual license information.

No. Seminar registration is handled by ASEP. Follow the registration instructions on the official ASEP seminar page. The form on this page sends your product demonstration or special-offer request to the ideCAD Philippines team.