Numerical Evaluation of Unreinforced Masonry Brick Walls Retrofitted by Polypropylene Straps Subjected to Lateral Loading

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Civil Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

2 University of Southern Queensland, Centre for Future Materials, Toowoomba, Australia

Abstract

This study investigated the two half-scale (1:2) unreinforced masonry walls, sharing identical dimensions, geometry, and construction characteristics, which were subjected to simultaneous lateral and vertical constant loading. While the first specimen represented an unreinforced masonry wall, the second specimen underwent a transformative retrofitting process involving the incorporation of vertical, horizontal, and oblique Polypropylene straps. To further optimize the retrofit, the minimum area of the wall was reinforced using shotcrete mortar with weak cement. The retrofitting material was defined by introducing Polypropylene straps and shotcrete mortar into the first model, and a comprehensive evaluation of the reference model was conducted. The pushover analysis, conducted through monotonic loading simulations, effectively replicated the essential behaviors observed in the primary experimental specimens. Remarkably, the experimental results exhibited striking agreement with the numerical outcomes derived from the employment of ABAQUS finite element software. Notably, these results unveiled the efficacy of the retrofitting technique, highlighting a remarkable enhancement in the ultimate lateral displacement by 140% and an impressive 71% increase in loading capacity. Furthermore, the retrofitting process induced a notable shift in the failure mode from diagonal tension and shear cracks to a more desirable flexural rocking mechanism, reinforcing the structural integrity of the masonry walls.

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References

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AUT Journal of Civil Engineering
Volume 6, Issue 4
December 2022
Pages 447-460

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