Abstract
The present paper reports an experimental study coupled with a numerical modelling approach to simulate masonry walls strengthened with textile-reinforced mortar (TRM). This innovative reinforcing technique is based on high-strength fibre grids embedded into inorganic matrices, and it has recently been promoted for the seismic retrofitting of historical masonry buildings. In the experimental campaign presented here, two different commercial TRM systems are applied to single-leaf clay masonry panels. The specimens are then subjected to diagonal compression tests in order to evaluate the effects of TRM on the structural performance. The proposed finite element (FE) model, based on an original multiscale approach, is employed to simulate the diagonal compression tests. The numerical results show a very good agreement with the experimental data, including in terms of failure mode. In particular, the approach reproduces the macroscopic behaviour of the masonry panels as regards the force-displacement response, and it allows for the possibility of simulating bed joint sliding and TRM layer debonding.
Highlights
Historical structures made of solid brick or stone unreinforced masonry (UM) are widespread in Southern Europe and around the Mediterranean area, where a high earthquake hazard is concentrated.A majority of these UM buildings, located in regions of high seismic risk and mainly designed to resist gravity loads without special regard for lateral seismic forces, are nowadays in need of structural rehabilitation that takes into account their architectural and cultural value
This work proposed the experimental and numerical investigation of masonry panels strengthened with two different commercial textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) techniques
The experimental campaign highlighted how both strengthening systems produce considerable increases in load carrying capacity and stiffness with respect to an unreinforced wall. These results are of crucial importance and make both reinforcing techniques highly suitable for seismic retrofitting of historical masonry in earthquake-prone areas
Summary
Historical structures made of solid brick or stone unreinforced masonry (UM) are widespread in Southern Europe and around the Mediterranean area, where a high earthquake hazard is concentrated. A majority of these UM buildings, located in regions of high seismic risk and mainly designed to resist gravity loads without special regard for lateral seismic forces, are nowadays in need of structural rehabilitation that takes into account their architectural and cultural value. Jacketing historical masonry structures with steel-reinforced concrete is among the most conventional techniques for seismic retrofitting. The most recent improvements regarding materials and methods for structural reinforcement have highlighted the use of textile-reinforced mortar (TRM), known as fibre-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM). TRMs are recently developed composite materials based on high-strength fibre (basalt, glass, steel) nets inserted into matrices made of natural mortars or cements. Many experimental studies have been conducted over the last decade to investigate
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