TAIWAN-THAILAND COLLABORATIVE PROJECT ON SEISMIC STRENGTHENING OF SOFT-STORY SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN NORTHERN THAILAND

This paper summarizes the collaborative project between Taiwan and Thailand on seismic
strengthening of soft-story school buildings in northern Thailand. Following the 2014 Mae Lao
Earthquake in northern Thailand, several soft-story school buildings were damaged due to the
earthquake demonstrating the inherent weaknesses of these buildings. As a result, a collaborative
project between Taiwan and Thailand was carried out to assess the techniques for strengthening of these
buildings. Three school buildings located in northern Thailand having the same structural framing and
details were strengthened using the concrete jacking method. Background works that formed the basis
of the project are briefly discussed. Details and studies regarding the effectiveness of the selected
strengthening method are also provided.