Experimental Study of Steel Strips-Strengthened Masonry Panels

Abstract

Because of the seismic vulnerability of these masonry structures, many strengthened technologies for improving their its seismic performance of masonry panels have been improved in old days. In this paper, a rapid strengthening approach of masonry structures which is diagonal steel strips attached to the masonry panels is proposed. To investigate crack pattern, shear strength, lateral stiffness and ultimate displacement, four Specimens constructed at with 1:2 scale are designed. One specimen was not strengthened by steel strips, and the others strengthen by steel strips with different width and thickness. They are tested under combined constant vertical compression and cyclic lateral loading. The experimental results prove that reinforcement approach could a changed crack pattern. Also, it could significantly increase in the shear strength and lateral stiffness of masonry panels. The width of steel strips is more significant than the thickness of steel strips in strengthening shear strength and lateral stiffness of masonry wall.