Experimental and Analytical Study of Masonry Constructions Reinforced with Bed Joints

Abstract

Abstract In this study, investigation was conducted on the out-of-plane fracture under repeated reversing loads of specimens of unreinforced masonry wall models, a suitable building material found worldwide, strengthened by bed joints using FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) with epoxy resin, by production of two separate wall samples composed of materials with identical characteristics in a 1 : 1 ratio. It was also observed that the fracture type became brittle and the pour lines indicated that it did not have tensile strength. Approximately, a 3.5 increase in withstanding breakage under seismic forces was observed in the performance of the wall strengthened by FRP with epoxy reinforcements in the bed joints. Furthermore, the shear strength of the model masonry wall was 48 % less than that attained in the wall strengthened by bed joints and it was determined that the energy absorption of the model masonry wall was 22 % less than that of the wall strengthened by bed joints. Additionally, while the masonry wall in the test which was not strengthened broke under repeated reversing loads at 65 kN, the break load of the strengthened masonry wall was ascertained to be 80 kN. The accuracy and application of the results of the studies conducted were also scrutinized by running finite element stress analysis and numerical solutions using an ANSYS computer-supported analysis program.