SHEAR-COMPRESSION TESTS ON FRCM STRENGTHENED TUFF MASONRY WALLS

Seismic capacity estimation and efficiency assessment of different strengthening strategies for existing masonry buildings are one of the main research activities in the field of structural engineering. In this frame the paper presents the results of several experimental tests aimed at investigating the in-plane behaviour of different single-leaf masonry walls through shear-compression tests (SC). In addition to the structural capabilities of the ‘reference’ unreinforced masonry (URM) specimens, the efficiency of externally bonded fiber-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) systems was investigated in terms of shear strength and ductility increase of the masonry walls. Two strengthening lay-outs with FRCM were experienced: the application of the FCRM layer on a single side or on both sides of the masonry wall. In the case of FRCM application on a single side, some anchors were applied also. All the constituent materials were preventively tested. The experiments generally demonstrated a good effectiveness of the proposed strengthening techniques, with particular reference to the case of FRCM reinforcement applied on both sides, since it led to a change in terms not only of shear load capacity, but also of a more favourable failure mode compared to what observed in the ‘reference’ URM specimens.