Shake Table Tests on FRP Retrofitted Masonry Building Models

Abstract

The current study is devised to evaluate the seismic performance of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) retrofitted buildings with openings at different FRP reinforcement levels. Required objectives are achieved by performing five shake table tests on 1/4-scale models of single-story boxlike masonry buildings. Out of five building models, one was an unreinforced masonry (URM) building model whereas the other four were retrofitted with different quantities and layouts of FRP reinforcement. FRP reinforcement is reduced by decreasing FRP strip widths and strip spacing and applying FRP strips on either the inside or outer faces of walls. Each building model was subjected to the same series of input ground motions with gradually increasing amplitudes. A series of diagonal compression tests was also conducted to decide the appropriate type of FRP and trial FRP reinforcement ratios for the masonry building models. Descriptions of the tested models are provided, including the structural response in terms of base shear, displacement, and damage patterns. The results of diagonal compression tests and building model shake table tests show that FRP can significantly enhance the seismic resistance of new and existing URM buildings.