Design Lessons in Residential Rehabilitation

Abstract

In multi-family residential buildings, earthquake hazards mitigation and reconstruction are two sides of the same coin. The buildings are costly and difficult to retrofit and losses from the Loma Prieta earthquake make it clear that these buildings are significantly more costly and difficult to replace. Case studies of residential buildings which have been upgraded demonstrate that details and schedules are more important than the conceptual design. To achieve cost efficiency, traditional engineering design solutions must be adapted to the conditions found in existing buildings. Further, because construction is almost always done with tenants remaining in the building, cost efficiency must include social as well as technical design.