Reinforcing Masonry Walls with Composite Materials—Test Results

Abstract

In a previous paper, models are described for estimating the deformations and failures of masonry walls reinforced with composites when the wall is subjected to static, in-plane shear and normal loads. In this follow-up investigation, tests were performed to assess the accuracies of these models. Three types of test specimens were constructed: i) walls made of clay bricks and mortar and reinforced with chopped glass mat and epoxy resin, ii) walls made of wood bricks and reinforced with paper, and iii) beams made of wood bricks and reinforced with paper. Static, in-plane normal and shear loads were applied to each test specimen and the load versus deflection, failure load and deflection at failure were recorded. The data were compared with corresponding results generated by the models. These comparisons showed reasonable agreements between the data and the values calculated by the models.