Earthquakes Glossary

building retrofitting (or upgrading or proofing)

Reinforcement of structures in order to be more resistant to the forces of natural hazards. Retrofitting involves consideration of changes in the mass, stiffness, damping, load path and ductility of materials, as well as radical changes such as the introduction of energy absorbing dampers and base isolation systems. Examples of retrofitting include the consideration of wind loading to strengthen and minimize the wind force, or in earthquake prone areas, the strengthening of structures.