Abstract
The development of novel strengthening techniques to address the seismic vulnerability of masonry elements is gradually leading to simpler, faster and more effective strengthening strategies. In particular, the use of fabric reinforced cementitious matrix systems is considered of great potential, given the increase of ductility achieved with simple and economic strengthening procedures. To assess the effectiveness of these strengthening systems, and considering that the seismic action is involved, one important component of the structural behaviour is the in-plane cyclic response. In this work is discussed the applicability of the diagonal tensile test for the assessment of the cyclic response of strengthened masonry. The results obtained allowed to assess the contribution of the strengthening system to the increase of the load carrying capacity of masonry elements, as well as to evaluate the damage evolution and the stiffness degradation mechanisms developing under cyclic loading.
Highlights
Masonry constructions are composed of brittle or quasi-brittle materials, and generally have low resistance to seismic events
This work presents the experimental program developed with the aim of characterizing and quantifying the contribution of a strengthening system based on fabric reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) to the increase of the load carrying capacity and deformability of masonry elements subjected to in-plane loading
The elastic branch was considered to develop up to 33% of the peak load in the case of the specimens tested with monotonic loading, and up to the peak of the first cycle in the case of cyclic loading. These results show that the strengthening system has provided a shear strength increase of approximately 2.3
Summary
Masonry constructions are composed of brittle or quasi-brittle materials, and generally have low resistance to seismic events. The current performance requirements prescribed by the design codes are frequently not accomplished by existing constructions, either because these requirements became more demanding, or because the negative effects of aging in the long-term behaviour of the materials resulted in a substantial decrease of the load carrying capacity of the masonry elements. The development of effective procedures to retrofit existing masonry constructions, in order to upgrade their load bearing capacity and increase their ductility response, is still of great importance. This work presents the experimental program developed with the aim of characterizing and quantifying the contribution of a strengthening system based on fabric reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) to the increase of the load carrying capacity and deformability of masonry elements subjected to in-plane loading. The test procedure, which will be detailed was adapted in order to consider unidirectional cycles of loading and unloading
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