PCa Brace Method (Earthquake-Resistant Reinforcement)

<Rapid construction method>

This method is recommended when reinforcement work needs to be finished quickly, such as during a summer school holiday.

(The on-site work duration is reduced due to the use of precast concrete members.)

<Environmentally friendly method with less noise and vibration>

This method is recommended where residences or hospitals are nearby.

(Precast concrete members are installed by drilling cores onto the existing concrete structure, rather than using post-construction anchors.)

<Low construction cost>

This method is recommended when outer frame type reinforcement work is needed with safety and low cost.

(The construction cost is reduced due to industrialization by factory precasting of concrete members, which saves labor on site.)

<Maintenance-free and excellent durability>

This method is recommended when a building is expected to be used for a long time after earthquake-resistant reinforcement work.

(High durability is achieved due to the prestressed concrete structure with high-strength concrete.)

Before installation

After installation

The PCa Brace earthquake-resistant reinforcement method improves earthquake resistance of buildings due to its high load-bearing strength and energy absorbing ability. Reinforcement work is finished quickly without moving occupants out of the building or replacing window sashes. Therefore, the total construction cost is cheaper than that of other methods. Concrete members that are prestressed with high-strength concrete have high durability and are suited for installation in concrete buildings. Texture or coloring can be applied to the installed members to match that of the existing building. This method has less impact to the building foundation because it has lower weight compared with that of a quake-resistant wall.

Noise and vibration during construction are minimal due to less chipping work on the existing building. Also, ventilation is not disturbed by the reinforcement work. This method has been applied to a wide range of buildings, such as school buildings, government agency buildings, dormitories, office buildings, and hospitals.

Schematic of PCa Brace Reinforcement

Behavior model of PCa Brace