Structural window frame for in-plane seismic strengthening of masonry wall buildings

ABSTRACT

This article describes the initial development stages of a structural window frame system for the in-plane seismic strengthening of load-bearing masonry wall buildings. The solution implemented ultimately aims to stiffen (and strengthen) the opening such that the wall would behave as if there were no opening. This is achieved by installing a structural steel window frame composed of a profile forming a closed ring inside the opening, properly tied to the surrounding masonry wall. The strengthening concept was validated by means of a series of tests in which two approximately 1:2 geometric scale physical specimens with a similar central opening were cyclically tested to failure. One of these specimens (UMW) was unreinforced whereas the other (RMW) had a UPN profile internal ring tied at the corners and at mid-length and mid-height of the opening by means of threaded rods with chemical anchors. The material of these walls was common rubble masonry with lime-based mortar and render. The experimental results show that the strengthening technique leads to a significant increase in strength and in-plane deformation capacity, as well as in terms of cumulative dissipated energy at collapse. Nonlinear numerical specimens of the tested walls were also developed and calibrated.

KEYWORDS:

• Earthquakes
• experimental tests
• masonry wall buildings
• nonlinear analyses
• seismic window frame
• strengthening

Acknowlegments

The authors wish to thank CVF, Construtora de Vila Franca, Lda. for building the walls subjected to experimental tests and HILTI Portugal - Produtos e Serviços, Lda. for supplying the threadbars and injectable adhesive anchors used in the steel-ring-to-masonry-wall connections.