Cyclic Shear Tests on Plain and FRP Retrofitted Masonry Walls

Abstract eng:
Retrofitting of existing vulnerable buildings in seismic areas represents a high priority for the structural engineer community worldwide. In Romania the issue of seismic rehabilitation is focused on some vulnerable buildings typologies such as high rise gravity designed RC structures and plain masonry structures. Given the seismic risk of Romania and the large vulnerable building stock, JICA Technical Cooperation Project on the Reduction of Seismic Risk in Romania was implemented since 2002 by National Center for Seismic Risk Reduction. Many building collapses in 1940 and 1977 Vrancea earthquakes were triggered by the shear failure of the masonry walls. These walls were not designed and detailed to withstand the shear force due to lateral seismic loading. The seismic evaluation and retrofitting of masonry walls is tributary to available and accurate input data. These data are made available solely by structural experimental tests. The employment of worldwide available experimental data is misleading because of scattered materials characteristics and construction practice. To implement accurate and appropriate retrofitting solutions it is necessary to conduct tests following local state of the practice. The paper describes a series of four masonry walls specimens subjected to cyclic shear test. Two of the specimens represent the existing plain masonry walls and the other two FRP retrofitted ones. One of retrofitted specimens is enforced using one layer of FRP sheet applied on both sides and the other one by using two layers applied on one side.

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