Experimental Response of Brick-Masonry Spandrels under In-Plane Cyclic Loading

Abstract

This paper investigates the behavior of spandrels in perforated walls of existing unreinforced masonry buildings. The main results of experimental tests carried out on full-scale brick-masonry coupling beams under in-plane cyclic loading are presented and critically discussed. The effectiveness of different strengthening techniques has been examined by testing damaged spandrels reinforced using steel ties or angles. The resistant mechanisms, the degradation of strength and stiffness, and the hysteretic energy dissipation capacity of the tested coupling beams have been analyzed. The experimental shear resistance of the unstrengthened and strengthened spandrels have been then compared against analytical predictions obtained by using expressions provided by current codes of practice. Finally, these analytical formulations calibrated against the experimental results have been employed to study the effects of the main spandrel geometrical characteristics. The results achieved provide relevant information on the actual behavior of these critical masonry components, which thus far has been only marginally investigated.