A Heuristic Optimization Method For Retrofitting Structures Using FRP

Seismic motions have been challenging structural engineers for decades by testing the performance of building structures. For this reason, mainly, existing and heritage buildings are prone to develop issues concerning stability during a ground motion. Retrofitted techniques (e.g. CAM, shear walls, steel, and concrete jacketing) have been thriving to diminish structural design's flawed conception. However, the disadvantages of invasive techniques or either geometrical or site problems dare to select an appropriate approach. Fiber-reinforced polymers rise among the strategies by overcoming common issues. Significant accomplishments have been attained by research designing the strategy to fulfill the use of FRP in RC structures adequately; nonetheless, a few addresses the optimal methodology to implement FRP layout in columns. This thesis presents a heuristic approach to locate the FRP material in columns and joints to reduce the inter-story drift and considering the uniformity of these along with the height. The approach is defined by a series of iteration in a generic algorithm where the structures is assessed with non-linear Time- History (NTHA). The proposed methodology has been tested in three non-ductile RC buildings subjected to far-fault and near-fault ground motion where the structures exhibit an improvement regarding the seismic performance.