1. Increased Structural Strength

Steel jacketing significantly enhances the axial, shear, and flexural strength of existing concrete or masonry elements. By enclosing the structural member with steel plates or angles, the element gains additional confinement and load-carrying capacity, making it suitable for higher design demands or post-damage strengthening.

2. Structural Rehabilitation

Steel jacketing is widely used in repairing and restoring damaged or deteriorated structural members. It provides an efficient way to retrofit columns, beams, or walls with minimal demolition. It restores the member’s performance to its original or improved level, extending its functional lifespan without complete reconstruction.

3. Improved Seismic Resistance

This method is highly effective for seismic retrofitting. The added steel jacket enhances the confinement, energy absorption, and ductility of the structural element. It helps prevent brittle failure under lateral loads and improves the structure’s capacity to withstand ground shaking during earthquakes.

4. Rapid Installation with Minimal Downtime

Steel jacketing can be installed quickly on-site using bolted or welded connections. Since it doesn’t require full removal of the existing concrete, it allows for rehabilitation while the building remains in use, minimizing disruptions in occupied or sensitive facilities.

5. Fire and Impact Resistance

Steel jacketing provides an added protective layer against mechanical impacts and fire exposure. While steel conducts heat, protective coatings or insulation layers can be applied to meet fire-resistance requirements, especially in critical infrastructure or industrial settings.

6. Enhanced Durability and Corrosion Protection

Modern steel jacketing includes corrosion-resistant treatments such as epoxy coatings, galvanization, or paint systems. When properly sealed and maintained, the steel layer protects the original structure from environmental deterioration, such as chloride ingress or freeze-thaw cycles.

7. Minimal Section Enlargement

Compared to concrete jacketing, steel jacketing adds very little to the cross-sectional size of the member, which is beneficial in space-restricted environments like basements, tunnels, or retrofits in buildings with tight layouts.