Retrofitting Techniques

The retrofitting of bridge may be required in each of the components:

superstructure, bearings, substructure and foundations. The extent of retrofitting
will be based on detailed seismic assessment following dynamic methods of
analysis. The retrofitting techniques for various portions of bridge are described
below:
Superstructure
Superstructures will not normally need strengthening due to their high rigidity and
large flexural capacity. Superstructure deficiency is associated with their unseating
at expansion joints or on bearing supports due to relative displacements. The most
commonly observed type of failure in superstructure of simple supported bridges is
a girder falling off the supports due to longitudinal response. To prevent such type of
failure, the adjoining spans should be interconnected by connection
rods/restrainers/linkage bolts.
Bearings
Bridge bearings are one of the most vulnerable components in resisting earthquake.
Bearing deficiencies are associated with (i) inadequate seat width and (ii)
inadequacy to accommodate displacements in earthquakes. The possible retrofit
solutions are: (i) replacing steel bearings, by (a) elastomeric bearings (b) base
isolation bearings, (ii) bearing seat extension (iii) provision of stoppers and devices
to prevent jumping of girders.
Substructures
The RC columns in substructures are commonly deficient in flexural strength, shear
strength and ductility. In addition, these deficiencies could be due to lack of
transverse reinforcement in the plastic hinge region leading to inadequate
confinement. There could be other detailing deficiencies such as premature
termination of longitudinal steel in cantilever piers, inadequate anchorage and
inadequate splicing of longitudinal reinforcement.
The common retrofitting techniques for such deficiencies are: steel jacketing,
concrete jacketing and composite material jackets:fiberglass, fiber reinforced plastic
(FRP), pre-stressing steel and carbon fiber.
The jacketing normally increases flexural strength of piers. The increase of flexural
strength of piers tends to increase the seismic force transmitted from piers to the
foundation. Therefore, there should be controlled increase in flexural strength of
piers when jacketing technique is adopted. The jacketing techniques are briefly
described.
Steel Jacketing
The circular columns are retrofitted by circular steel jackets while rectangular
columns are retrofitted by elliptic or rectangular jackets, the former is more
effective. The steel shall provide a continuous tube around the concrete column

with an annular gap. This gap is grouted with cement grout or epoxy resin. A small
gap of about 50 mm is provided at the bottom of piers between steel jacket and the
top of the footing. This gap enables jacket to function as a passive confinement and
prevents excessive increase in the flexural strength. This jacket primarily increases
shear strength and confinement. The increase of thickness of column after retrofit is
very small.
Concrete Jacketing
This type of jacket uses a thick layer of reinforced concrete around the column. The
RC jacket increases flexural strength, shear strength and ductility of column. The
longitudinal reinforcement should be dowelled with adequate anchorage in the
footing to develop flexural strength.
The flexural strength of column is increased but it should be accompanied by
footing retrofit so as to ensure that plastic hinge forms in column and not in footing.
Foundation
The retrofit of foundation, may involve high costs, is normally avoided. The rocking
and uplift of foundation though undesirable is often considered as a form of isolation
and may reduce seismic forces in the bridge superstructure and substructure. While
ascertaining retrofitting needs in foundation, detailed seismic analysis should be
carried out. However, if analysis and re-design shows deficiency in foundation,
retrofitting of foundation is carried out. The retrofitting option available for footing is
the enlargement of footing size. The retrofitting option for pile foundation may
consist in addition of piles and then integrating these with existing piles by
extending pile caps.