Seismic Retrofitting of Precast Concrete Structures with Energy-Dissipation and Self-Centering Systems: A Critical Review

Existing precast concrete structures are vulnerable to earthquake damage due to weak connections, limited ductility, and insufficient energy dissipation capacity. Traditional retrofitting methods can improve structural strength and stiffness, but they may not effectively control residual deformation or prevent severe damage during strong earthquakes. To address these problems, researchers have increasingly focused on energy-dissipation and self-centering systems to improve seismic performance and post-earthquake recovery. This paper reviews the development and application of these systems in precast concrete structures based on findings from experimental studies, numerical analyses, and performance-based seismic assessments. The review discusses different technologies, including metallic yielding dampers, buckling-restrained braces (BRBs), friction and viscous dampers, unbonded post-tensioning systems, rocking mechanisms, and shape memory alloys (SMAs). Special attention is given to hybrid systems that combine energy dissipation and self-centering mechanisms to control both peak displacement and residual drift. Previous studies have shown that energy-dissipation devices can reduce seismic demands on vulnerable precast connections, while self-centering systems provide restoring forces that help structures return toward their original positions after earthquakes. Combining these technologies can reduce structural damage, improve repairability, and increase overall seismic resilience. The paper also examines externally attached retrofitting systems, experimental and numerical evaluation methods, and design approaches such as Direct Displacement-Based Design (DDBD) and probabilistic seismic loss assessment. However, several challenges still require further investigation, including structural response under near-fault ground motions, interaction with non-structural elements, long-term durability, and practical construction requirements. Further experimental and numerical studies are needed to improve the reliability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term performance of these systems. Overall, this review summarizes current developments and identifies important research gaps to support the design of safer, more sustainable, and earthquake-resilient precast concrete structures.

Keywords: Precast concrete structures; Seismic retrofitting; Energy-dissipation systems; Self-centering systems; Buckling-restrained braces; Residual drift; Seismic resilience.