A novel lifetime cost-benefit analysis method for seismic retrofitting of low-rise reinforced concrete buildings

This article presents a novel simplified method for assessing seismic damage to low-rise reinforced concrete (RC) buildings by using the hazard curve of response spectral acceleration. Moreover, the occurrence of an earthquake is assumed to follow a Poisson process when analysing the occurrence probability of a specified damage state in the remaining service life and expected losses induced by seismic damage. Then, a novel procedure for estimating lifetime costs and benefits of seismic retrofitting is proposed. In the case study, 16 practical design projects for seismic retrofitting of RC school buildings in Taipei are subjected to lifetime cost-benefit analysis using the proposed method. It can be found that not only lifetime cost-benefit ratios but also the financial return period for each dollar invested seismic retrofitting can be identified conveniently. Additionally, they are useful information for making decisions about whether to retrofit a building or not.