Strengthening of In-Plane and Out-of-Plane Capacity of Thin Clay Masonry Infills Using Textile- and Fiber-Reinforced Mortar

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the experimental results obtained by combined in-plane/out-of-plane (IP/OOP) tests carried out on reinforced concrete (RC) frames infilled with thin clay masonry walls. After preliminary characterization tests on building materials, combined IP/OOP tests on eight full-scale, one-bay, one-story infilled RC frames were carried out. Three external strengthening solutions were investigated considering three types of lime-based plasters, reinforced by means of dispersed fibers and/or bidirectional basalt meshes, applied on both sides of each wall. The experimental results of the tested frames are presented, discussed, and compared to evaluate the performance and the effectiveness of each strengthening solution.