Experimental Assessment of Strengthened Masonry Partitions without Arching Effect under Seismic Out-of-plane Load

ABSTRACT

In this study, out-of-plane experimental tests are performed on masonry partitions in reinforced concrete frames. The out-of-plane strength of reference as-built specimens with and without arching action is assessed. Then, specimens strengthened with an FRCM or with an FRP are tested in absence of arching effect. The application of composite materials significantly increases the out-of-plane strength. However, a brittle out-of-plane failure of the infill is avoided only if FRCM is applied. The seismic safety of case-study strengthened partitions without arching effect is compared with that of analogous strengthened partitions in which arching action can occur.

KEYWORDS:

• masonry partition
• out-of-plane
• strengthening
• strength
• FRCM
• FRP
• seismic
• arching action

Acknowledgments

This work was developed under the financial support of METROPOLIS (Metodologie e tecnologie integrate e sostenibili per l’adattamento e la sicurezza di sistemi urbani - PON Ricerca e Competitività 2007-2013) and ReLUIS-DPC 2019-2021 WP10 – Contributi normativi relativi a costruzioni esistenti in muratura, funded by the Italian Department of Civil Protection (DPC).

The reinforcing materials were provided by Mapei.These supports are gratefully acknowledged.

Declaration Of Interest

The Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

Force-displacement response data of tested specimens are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Dipartimento della Protezione Civile, Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri [E66C19000190005].