The Strengthening of Masonry Walls in Seismic-Prone Areas with the CAM System: Experimental and Numerical Results

Abstract

In this paper, experimental and numerical results of a research project about the structural behavior of strengthened masonry are presented and discussed. The aim of the research is to study the in-plane shear behavior of an old masonry wall with an opening in the arch form, reinforced with a pioneering system of 3D pre-tensioned stainless steel ties. The masonry wall was in-plane loaded until first cracking appeared, then it was reinforced and re-loaded until failure. The experimental results have highlighted the benefits of the reinforcing method adopted, especially to provide an increasing in terms of both strength and ductility. Numerical modeling of the masonry wall behavior was accomplished by using non-linear finite-element methods generally adopted for reinforced concrete elements.

Keywords

• masonry
• shear
• CAM
• stainless steel
• ribbon
• tie