soft story

Seismic Retrofit Construction: The Structural Work That Protects Existing Buildings From Earthquakes

Seismic retrofit upgrades existing buildings to perform better in earthquakes. Soft-story retrofits, unreinforced masonry (URM) retrofits, and voluntary upgrades all have specific approaches. California ordinances have mandated retrofits; other jurisdictions adopt similar programs. Understanding seismic retrofit coordination helps contractors pursue this specialty sector.