Strengthening and Retrofitting of Existing Structures - Practical

In this review of Strengthening and Retrofitting of Existing Structures, the bottom line is clear: this is a technically focused reference for engineers, researchers and senior practitioners who need a compact yet comprehensive overview of rehabilitation methods. The book presents fundamentals and practical techniques for strengthening traditional masonry, reinforced concrete buildings, bridges and their foundations, and it is most valuable to readers looking for methodical descriptions and decision support material rather than introductory theory. For those seeking a hands-on code compendium or illustrated construction sequences, this volume supplements but does not replace detailed design codes.

Key Features

• Comprehensive scope: Covers strengthening approaches for traditional constructions, reinforced concrete buildings, bridges and foundations so readers can compare methods across structure types.
• Techniques and solutions: Describes specific retrofitting techniques that can be applied to common material and geometry problems encountered in refurbishment projects.
• Foundational theory: Presents the fundamentals of strengthening approaches to help readers understand why particular methods are selected.
• Standards discussion: Includes material on standards and regulatory considerations to inform design compliance and professional practice.
• Economic decision tools: Discusses economic decision support tools for retrofitting so project teams can weigh costs and benefits of retrofit options.

Who It's For

The book is best suited for structural engineers, researchers and graduate students focused on building pathology and rehabilitation who need concise treatment of strengthening methods across several structural types. It is also useful for practitioners preparing feasibility studies or comparing retrofit options for bridges, buildings and foundations.

It is not primarily a step-by-step construction manual or a substitute for local design codes; contractors or early-career engineers seeking richly illustrated procedural guides should pair this book with detailed standards and installation manuals.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Broad coverage across traditional, reinforced concrete and bridge structures provides cross-reference value for mixed portfolios.
• Integration of fundamentals with applied techniques helps link theory to practice for rehabilitation tasks.
• Inclusion of standards and economic decision support tools aids professional decision making on retrofit investments.

Cons

• Not a substitute for specific construction-level instructions or exhaustive code provisions, so readers will need additional technical standards.

Specifications

Title	Strengthening and Retrofitting of Existing Structures
Series	Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, 9
Authors	Anibal Costa, Antonio Arede, Humberto Varum
Scope	Traditional constructions, reinforced concrete buildings, bridges, foundations
Focus	Strengthening approaches, techniques, standards and economic tools
Intended audience	Engineers, researchers, graduate students, practitioners

Our Verdict

Strengthening and Retrofitting of Existing Structures is a practical, well-focused reference for professionals who need method-driven coverage of rehabilitation techniques and decision support. It represents good value for engineers and researchers seeking comparative treatments across structure types, but should be used alongside local codes and detailed construction guides for execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover bridge retrofitting?
Yes, it includes dedicated discussion of strengthening techniques and foundation issues for bridges.

Is it suitable for novice engineers?
It is valuable for learners with prior structural knowledge, but novices should supplement it with introductory texts and practical installation guides.

Does it include economic evaluation tools?
Yes, the book discusses economic decision support tools to help assess retrofit options.