Development of Double Frame Method to improve the seismic performance of low-rise reinforced concrete buildings

The current paper proposes a seismic reinforcement method that uses a double frame and is called the Double Frame Method (DFM). Performance tests are conducted to assess the material suitability of a post-installed anchor that directly connects the existing frame to the double frame, while a shear performance test is conducted to examine the vertical connector. The performance of column members with and without DFM reinforcement was compared and evaluated. Ultimately, we have fabricated a two-story, one-span reinforced concrete existing frame test specimen and a DFM reinforced frame test specimen that we can use to examine the effect of improving seismic performance through repeated loading tests. The result of the anchor’s pull-out test show that the average tensile strength is 27.9 kN, exceeding the average design strength of 21.7 kN suggested by the manufacturer. The shear strength test results of the anchor show an average value of 28.7 kN. Meanwhile, the vertical connector test show that the internal force per anchor is 46.83 kN, which is approximately 163% more than the single anchor design shear strength of 28.7 kN. As a result of the DFM-reinforced column test, in the actuator direction, the yield strength is improved by about 120%, while the maximum strength is improved by about 150–180%. As a result of the two-story frame experiment, the double frame reinforced specimen shows a maximum strength of about 4.0 to 4.5 times that of the non-seismic specimen.