Displacement-Based Design of Aluminum Shear Panels for Seismic Retrofitting of RC Buildings †

This paper presents a displacement-based design method for aluminum shear panels used in the seismic retrofit of RC buildings. The approach follows performance-based principles, directly controlling structural displacements while ensuring stable hysteretic behavior and concentrating damage in replaceable panels. The procedure links displacement demand to panel properties and geometry, enabling efficient design. A case study shows significant reductions in inter-story drift and residual deformations, improving seismic performance. The results demonstrate that aluminum shear panels are an effective and sustainable retrofit solution, offering reliable energy dissipation, easy replacement, and minimal impact on existing structures.