Abstract This paper presents the experimental results obtained from tests on a 2/3 scale U-shaped masonry building constructed in one of the ICITECH laboratories at the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia… Click to show full abstract
Abstract This paper presents the experimental results obtained from tests on a 2/3 scale U-shaped masonry building constructed in one of the ICITECH laboratories at the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Spain). The prototype measured 3.31 × 4.19 m2 by 2.15 m high and had a wall thickness of 230 mm. The masonry was composed of 230 × 110 × 50 mm3 solid clay bricks with approximately 10 mm-thick mortar joints arranged in English bond. The tests were aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of cement-based reinforcing materials (Textile Reinforced Mortar) applied to weak masonry substrates severely damaged by horizontal loads such as those induced by a seismic event. The tests were carried out in three phases: (i) testing of the as-built structure, (ii) application of one external layer of TRM to restore the masonry’s original load-bearing capacity and then (iii) testing the TRM-strengthened structure. Dynamic behaviour was monitored by both traditional and fibre optic sensors (FO), including 28 Linear Variable Displacement Transducers (LVDTs) and 3 long-gauge optical sensors. Strengthening effectiveness was evaluated by several parameters: hysteretic curves, strength degradation, computed cumulative energy dissipation and cracking mechanisms. TRM reinforcement was shown to significantly extend the load-bearing and displacement capacity of the masonry prototype, reducing seismic-induced damage applied by pseudo-dynamic excitation, although it had a limited effect on cumulative energy dissipation.
               
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