Progress towards experimental validation of precast floor retrofit solutions

Abstract

Recent earthquakes have focussed the attention of the public on the vulnerabilities of some precast concrete floors that have long been known to engineers, while also revealing some previously unknown behaviour types. As a consequence of this attention, demonstration of the efficacy of retrofit solutions for vulnerable floors has become critically important. The ReCast Floors research programme has been recently funded by BRANZ (from the Building Research Levy), EQC, and Concrete New Zealand Learned Society to investigate retrofit solutions for precast concrete floors and involves a number of research institutions throughout New Zealand. A summary of the scope of the proposed research and details of upcoming tests are described.