This glossary reviews general terms used in design along with commonly found deficiencies in reinforced concrete structures. These deficiencies have all caused poor performance, failure, and in extreme cases collapse in past earthquakes. The presence of these deficiencies in a concrete structure should be taken under consideration for further investigation and retrofit. All images courtesy of C.V.R. Murty (2005).
Design Considerations
Plan Irregularity |
Building Shape |
Non-Symmetric Layout |
Vertical Irregularity |
Structural Elements
Lateral Force Resisting System |
Shear Wall |
Boundary Elements |
Common Deficiencies
Soft Story |
Short Columns |
Adjacent Buildings: Pounding |
Strong Beam - Weak Column Failure |
Torsion |