The Construction Techniques and Seismic Performance of Old Dwellings Retrofitted with an Additional Elevator Shaft: A Comprehensive Review

It was well known that the aging population has increased rapidly while many old dwellings are not equipped with elevators. This has led to difficulty in vertical transport and brought about the potential safety hazard for elders in the case of emergencies. The main solution has been to install the additional electric elevator in old houses to address the travel inconvenience issues. However, the construction method of elevator shafts and their influences on the mechanical characteristics of existing buildings have not been fully understood. This paper analyzes the construction features and mechanical properties of brick, steel, and reinforced concrete (RC) elevator shafts, respectively. The materials’ viability for old building renovations is comprehensively evaluated in terms of the construction efficiency and structural safety. A literature review reveals that the RC elevator shaft showed the greatest lateral resistance for structural systems with a large height-width ratio, indicating its superior applicability to the renovation of old dwellings. Aiming to promote the construction efficiency, a prefabricated RC elevator shaft was suggested for the reconstruction projects. Comprehensive investigations of the prefabricated RC components, reasonable connections, and global seismic performance should be conducted in following studies. Overall, this review adds to the knowledge regarding the installation of elevators in old dwellings and further promotes the renovation of old dwellings.