Divergent Issues in Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings

Abstract

A review of experience following recent damaging earthquakes shows that the reasons for repair and rehabilitation of damaged or inadequate structures varied greatly and often had little to do with structural issues. Cost of rehabilitation was found to be related not only to construction costs, but also to rents and leasable space, as well as to the costs associated with loss of revenue in case of damage during an earthquake which might curtail operations in the building. Design code requirements may impose restrictions that make it infeasible to rehabilitate some structures. Psychological and aesthetic issues dominated some projects. The purpose of this paper is to outline the divergent issues involved in the rehabilitation of a structure. The contrasts between the experience following Mexico City 1985 and Loma Prieta 1989 are striking.