Investigation of the steel jacket retrofit method for soft storey structures

Often columns that have undergone failures due to an earthquake or due to any other reason need to be restored and/or retrofitted. For columns, one retrofit method is the steel jacket method which deals with the restoration of both the longitudinal and the transverse reinforcement. However, when dealing with the restoration of the transverse reinforcement only, another method is used, that of the metallic collar. The aim of this paper is to examine the ways in which a steel jacket can be used when retrofitting columns, shear walls, and support columns from masonry. Furthermore, the attainment of constriction of the steel jacket and the existing column by the use of metallic tiles as wedges is discussed. Finally, it is concluded in this paper that the steel jacket method is a very old and good method for retrofitting existing columns. It is a fast and easy method that can be applied in a construction site and last but not least it is an affordable method.