REtrofitting of the building stock in seismic areas with Energy efficient, Sustainable and AFfordablE solutions

The RE-Safe project investigates an innovative retrofit solution to improve the seismic safety and sustainability of existing buildings. Many reinforced concrete buildings in earthquake-prone regions were not originally designed to withstand seismic loads and therefore require strengthening. At the same time, building renovation is increasingly linked with energy efficiency and environmental goals.

The project studies a retrofit system in which prefabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels are installed on the external façade of existing buildings and connected to the structure through special friction-based connectors. These panels act as an additional structural layer that can improve the building’s stiffness and energy dissipation during earthquakes.

To evaluate the performance of this system, large-scale shake table experiments are conducted on a reinforced concrete frame that represents a typical existing building. The experimental results are combined with numerical simulations to better understand the behaviour of the retrofitted structure under seismic loading.

The results of the project will support the development and validation of sustainable retrofit strategies that can improve both the structural safety and energy performance of existing buildings in seismic regions.

The RE-Safe project studies a new way to make existing buildings safer during earthquakes while also supporting sustainable renovation. Many older buildings were not designed for earthquake forces, so they need strengthening. In this project, wooden panels are added to the outside of a building and connected with special devices that help absorb earthquake energy. Researchers test this solution using a large experiment where a building model is shaken to simulate earthquakes. They also use computer simulations to understand how the system works. The goal is to develop a practical, affordable method to strengthen buildings and make them safer and more sustainable in earthquake-prone areas.

Tests show external timber panels with friction connectors significantly improve earthquake resistance, reduce building damage, and support sustainable renovation of existing structures.