International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 09 Issue: 08 | Aug 2022 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

A Review of detailed investigation on Retrofitting of Reinforced

Concrete frames using Steel Bracings.
D. Banerjee [1], S. Pandey [2]

[1] Department of Civil Engineering, M. Tech Student, Techno India University, WB, India
[2] Department of Civil Engineering, Assistant Professor, Techno India University, WB, India
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Abstract
Reinforced concrete buildings are generally designed to
resist lateral loads and gravity loads which are acting on
the structure. So, while designing such kinds of frames
earthquake load should be considered which can cause
collapse of the building. Bracing element also improves the
seismic behaviour of the structure. Steel bracing takes less
space, can adopt required stiffness as well as strength.
Bracings are also very cost effective and easy to install.
Retrofitting of building can be done by using steel bracings.
(X bracing) (K bracing)
In this paper different types of steel bracings are observed.
Bracings under different loading condition are studied.
Effects of Combined bracings with respect to unbraced
frames are also studied. Different types of bracing patterns
are also discussed. It is also observed that how steel
bracings are used as the active part of the building. Main
object of this paper is to determine the best bracing
pattern for different loading conditions and effect of
internal and external bracings also analyse bracings
having eccentricity.

Keywords – Bracing pattern, Internal and External

bracings, Eccentricity, Displacement, Lateral loads,
(V bracing) (Inverted V bracing)
Stiffness etc.

1. Introduction
Generally for resisting the earthquake and different load,
bracings can be implemented. Tall structures are
generally prone to wind load and seismic load. For
reducing the displacement, improving strength and
stiffness, there are different methods. Bracing is one of
the best method among them which provides structural
stability and resist different loads. Bracings are also
efficient to overcome the elastic seismic waves. (Diagonal bracing)
Horizontal and vertical bracings should be applied.
There are different types of bracing patterns like X, V, 1.1 Advantages
inverted V, K, Diagonal bracing etc. It also increase
lateral resistance and reduce the internal forces by  Steel Bracings are lateral load resisting system
appropriate bracing pattern. The Crossed bracing or X  Provides more free space and allowable opening
bracing is one of the most used bracing.  Easy to modify
 Easy to analyse
 Capable to resist accidental loads, twisting etc.
 Provides extra strength to the structure

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 International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 09 Issue: 08 | Aug 2022 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

1.2 Disadvantages minimum for X-bracing, and nearly same for inclined
bracing and inverted V bracing. (b) in inclined bracing
 Connections are difficult to fabricate system deflection is nearly same as that of X-bracing and
 Increases the total self-weight of the structure inverted V bracing and base shear is also nearly same, so
 More number of members from economic point of view we can provide inclined
 Heavy Bracings are required for long spans bracing system to the structure to resist the seismic
 Skilled labour required forces without compromising with strength and stiffness
 Design load for bracing design is always of the structure.
debatable
Hendramawat et. Al. (2013) did an experiment and the
2. Literature Reviews main aim of the experiment was to improve the seismic
behaviour of an existing RC building. Analysis was done
Study on this topic for last 10-15 years has been by ETABS. X bracings were used here. results showed
discussed below: - that the seismic stability of an existing RC frame can be
improved by applying steel bracings, also the
A. Massumi et. al. (2008) revealed that adding X bracings displacements can be reduced by 16 to 55 percent by
to rc frames or structures, which depends on the applying steel X bracings.
connection details, will significantly increase the
stiffness of the frames and change its behaviour, but Prof. Bhosle et. al. (2015) analyzed a 13 storied building
adding steel X bracings, which are not connected to each by different bracing patterns like X, V, inverted V,
other for strengthening the concrete frames, does not diagonal, K, combined V using ETABS software. The
change failure mechanism of the frame. analysis was done with respect to additional gravity load
and lateral load. The main aim of this paper was to find
Mehmet Agar et. al. (2008) Investigated the use of steel out the changes occurred in displacement, stiffness, story
bracing for the strengthening of low, medium, and high drift of the structure. From the paper it is concluded that
rise reinforced concrete buildings. The ultimate lateral i) displacement of structure is reduced. ii) Storey drift
load capacities of the strengthened frames are was reduced by X bracing and also X bracing have
determined by a load-controlled push-over analysis. The provided the maximum structural strength. iii)
post-tensioning effect of preloading is also investigated. Structures displacement capacity also improved by
After his experiment he concluded that a) Depending on applying bracing system with respect to unbraced
the original design and its height to width ratio, it is structure. iv) it was also found out by this experiment
possible to increase the lateral load capacities of existing that, X bracing is most efficient with respect to storey
R/C frame structures by up to 20 times using a bracing overturning moment.
system composed of steel X-bracing and an enclosing
steel frame around it in the frame bays and without even Mohammed Hyderuddin et. al. (2016) retrofitted various
anchoring them into the existing R/C frame structure. b) models with various steel bracing systems on periphery
The lateral load capacities of existing R/C frame columns storey wise and analyzed for seismic forces.
structures could increase by using a bracing system One building is analyzed for models with Diagonal
composed of steel X-bracing and an enclosing steel frame bracing, ‘V’ type bracing, Inverted ‘V’ type bracing,
around it by up to 2.5 times by transferring some of the Combined ‘V’ type bracing, ‘X’ type bracing, ‘K’ type
existing axial loads in the R/C columns to steel bracing bracing and compared with an unbraced frame. The
system through a preloading applied to the vertical steel effectiveness of various types of steel bracing in
members of the bracing system. rehabilitating a ten-storey building is examined. The
main parameters in this study to compare the seismic
S. I. Khan et. al (2013) Analyzed a nonlinear static analysis of buildings are lateral displacement, storey
pushover using the displacement coefficient method, as drift, axial forces in the columns, Base shear. The
described in FEMA 356 on an existing hostel building in percentage reduction in lateral displacement is found
Babasaheb Naik College of Engineering, Pusad. Built in out. It is found that the ‘X’ type of steel bracing
1987, the subject hostel building is a four-story, significantly contributes to the structural stiffness and
rectangular structure. In this paper he concluded that the reduces the maximum storey drifts of the frames. The
joints of the structure have displayed rapid degradation bracing systems improve not only the lateral stiffness
and the inter storey deflections have increased rapidly in but also the displacement capacity of the structure.
non- linear zone in structure without bracings. Also (a)
The floor displacement is maximum for without braced Chamarthi Manikumar. et. al. (2018) analyzed A ten
building frame as compared to braced building frame. In storey construction for seismic zone III as per IS 1893-
the braced building frame, floor displacement is 2002 the using of ETABS software program. The models

© 2022, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.529 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 1046
 International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 09 Issue: 08 | Aug 2022 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

are retrofitted with different bracings on periphery upper storey. Stiffness increased from top to bottom
columns storey wise and analyzed for seismic forces. The storey wise. The most improved performance was seen
building is analyzed for models with Diagonal bracing, ‘V’ when combined bracing systems are used.
type bracing, inverted ‘V’ type bracing, blended ‘V’ kind
bracing, ‘X’ kind bracing, ‘K’ type bracing and in S. Pandey et. al. (2020) studied A G+20 storied building
comparison, with an un braced frame. The effectiveness and analysed for lateral load using design software
of numerous forms of metallic bracing of a 10-storey STAAD Pro. Performance of different types of bracing
constructing is tested. The percentage reduction in systems (X, V, inverted V, Diagonal, K, two storied K) are
lateral displacement is observed out. It's far found that checked under gravity load and wind load. Various
the ‘X’ sort of metal bracing extensively contributes to results such as bending moment, shear force, lateral
the structural stiffness and reduces the maximum storey deflections, storey drift, axial load on columns are
drifts of the frames. The bracing systems enhance not extracted from this analysis and studied meticulously. In
only the lateral stiffness however also the displacement few cases of brace pattern effect of providing eccentricity
capacity of the shape. are also studied to suggest optimum positioning of these
bracing systems. After the study it is concluded that 1)
Jenna Maria Jaleen et. al.(2019) Studied various X Steel brace patterns help to reduce lateral displacement,
bracing configurations formed by bracing at the middle, storey drift, bending moment, shear force and axial load
corner as well as alternate frames of a building (B+G+4). on columns. 2) Among the various existing brace
A comparative study is conducted to identify the ideal X patterns overall performance of X brace is better
type bracing configuration for retrofitting the building followed by K brace. 3) Lateral displacement, storey drift,
by studying various parameters such as lateral bending moment, shear force and axial load can be
displacement, storey drift, axial forces, bending moment, reduced by introducing eccentricity in many types of
shear force and story stiffness. After the analysis of brace pattern. 4) Among all the bracing patterns with
structure with different types of X bracing configurations, eccentricity overall performance of diagonal brace
it is concluded that the overall displacement of the pattern with eccentricity of 1 m is best.
structure decreases. However, the maximum reduction
in the lateral displacement is due to the application of 3. Conclusion from Literature Review
middle braces.
 From the literature reviews it is concluded that
M. Hisamuzzaman et. al. (2019) studied the performance the use of different bracing increases strength
assessment of different bracing systems and compared and stiffness thereby enhances the seismic
in a seismically vulnerable RC building to find out the performance of Reinforced Concrete structures.
efficient bracing. Nonlinear static pushover analysis is Bracing systems also results in reduction of
carried out to assess the structural performance on structural displacement, storey drift, base shear
different bracing systems in RC buildings. Different steel etc.
bracing pattern is used such as inverted V-braced frames,
 The concept of different Bracing patterns are
X-braced frames, ZX braced frames and Zipper braced
simple and well understood however, there are
frames. The effects of another parameter influencing the
many configurations and methods by which
performance which is the lateral load patterns are also
bracings can be constructed. The reliability and
investigated. The performances are compared based on
the performance of the Bracing system and its
the capacity curve and maximum storey displacement of
superior seismic response compared to
the building. This experiment is done with an existing RC
unbraced frame and many bracing systems have
building which is already retrofitted with X pattern
been confirmed by many tests using softwares
braced system. The results obtained indicate that, ZX and
like STAAD pro, ETABS etc. The primary
the Zipper bracing systems are found to be the most
elements of the Bracing system have been kept
efficient.
the same, while recent tests focused on the
Peter Kirruti et. al. (2020) modelled a 20 storied building improving the performance of Reinforced
and tested with different bracings that is X, V and Concrete structure by determining the best
inverted V (combined) using ETABS software. The main bracing system.
objective of this paper was to observe the displacement,
stiffness, story drifts and base reactions of the structure 4. Future Scope of Work
under applying external load. X bracings are used in 1st
 The present study was conducted to find out
to 10th floor and inverted V bracings are used in 11th to
comparison between the seismic parameters
20th floor. The better performance observed in X
such as Base Shear, Displacement, Storey Drift,
bracings for the lower storey and inverted V for the
Stiffness etc. for Reinforced Concrete frame

© 2022, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.529 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 1047
 International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 09 Issue: 08 | Aug 2022 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

structure with different bracing systems at [10]Peter Kirruti et. al. (2020) “Seismic performance
various locations. assessment of steel bracing systems in high-rise
reinforced concrete structures”.
Additional research can be done in the following
areas- [11] S. Pandey et. al. (2020) “Performance of Different
Bracing Patterns for Moderately Tall Steel Buildings
 Model of a high rise or multi-storied building Subjected to Lateral Load”.
could be developed and analysed with different
bracing patterns at different floors for obtaining [12] Pasha Javadi (2013) “Retrofitting of RC Frames by
the best result for improving the overall building Steel Braced Frames Utilizing a Hybrid
strength like displacement, storey drift, stiffness Connection Technique”.
with respect to externally applied gravity and
lateral loads. This study can be done by using [13] Badoux et. al. (2022) “Retrofitting of reinforced
STAAD pro software. concrete structures with steel bracing systems”.

 Further a detailed investigation can be done [14] Bikram Shah et. al. (2019) “ Effects of Steel Bracings
keeping Eccentricity as the main parameter. in the Progressive Collapse Resistance of Reinforced
Concrete Building”.
 In maximum experiment External Bracings are
tested, so testing with Internal Bracings can also [15] Siavash Sadeghinezha et. al. (2021) “ Strengthening
be done with modelled multi storied building of Vulnerable RC Moment Resisting Frames Using Direct
using STAAD pro. Internal Connection of X-Steel Bracing”.

5. References [16] Somil Khattar et. al. (2019) “ Seismic Performance

of Reinforced Concrete Frame with Steel Bracing
[1] A. Massumi et. al. (2008) “Strengthening of low System”.
ductile reinforced concrete frames using steel X bracings
with different details”. [17] T. S. Mustafa et. al. (2019) “ Seismic Retrofit of
Reinforced Concrete Frame Structures”.
[2] Mehmet Agar et. al. (2008) “Strengthening of
reinforced concrete frames by using steel bracings”. [18] Vani Prasad et. al. (2014) “ Effectiveness of inclusion
of steel bracing in existing RC framed structure”.
[3] S. I. Khan et. al (2013) “Seismic Retrofitting of RC
Building by Using Different Bracing Systems”. [19] Amol Patil et. al. (2022) “ To Investigate Efficient
Concentric Bracing system in high rise steel building”.
[4] Hendramawat et. Al. (2013) “Evaluation of the Use of
Steel Bracing to Improve Seismic Performance of [20] Pratik K. Zaveri et. al. (2020) “Effectiveness of Steel
Reinforced Concrete Building”. Bracing System”.

[5] Prof. Bhosle et. al. (2015) “Analysis of Reinforced [21] Samruddhi Sawarkar (2022) To Study and Analyze
Concrete Building with Different Arrangement of Effects of Bracing in Design of Building”.
Concrete and Steel Bracing system”.
[22] Ayaanle Ali (2020) The Performance Analysis of the
[6] Mohammed Hyderuddin et. al. (2016) “Retrofitting of Difference Types of Steel Bracing for the Reinforced
Reinforced Concrete Frames using Steel Bracing”. Concrete Building”.

[7]Chamarthi Manikumar et. al. (2018) “Design And

Construction Of Reinforced Concrete Frames Using Steel
Bracings”.

[8]Jenna Maria Jaleen et. al.(2019) “Retrofitting Of

Reinforced Concrete Frames Using Different X Bracing
Configurations”.

[9]M. Hisamuzzaman et. al. (2019) “Performance

Assessment of Retrofitted RC Frames with Different
Patterns of Steel Bracing”.

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