The successful performance of a reinforced concrete building with FRP strengthened infill walls and externally installed shear walls subjected to Kahramanmaras and Hatay 2023 earthquakes

In 2009, a reinforced concrete building was retrofitted using FRP braces on the infill walls and externally installed shear walls by a team of researchers and engineers. At the time, this was one of the -world's first applications of such an FRP retrofit strategy. In 2023, Kahramanmara & scedil; and Hatay Earthquakes, strong motions severely tested the building. This study aims to explain the seismic retrofit strategy, document the observed damage in the aftermath of the two earthquakes, and compare the observed performance with the seismic performance estimates of the strengthened building according to the latest version of the Turkish Seismic Code. The information presented herein provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate the successful FRP application in seismic retrofits and the ability of seismic retrofits to save lives. A distinctive aspect of this undertaking is the succession of uncommon seismic events the building has encountered within 20 days, with its response to these earthquakes meticulously documented.