Full?scale shake?table tests on two unreinforced masonry cavity?wall buildings: effect of an innovative timber retrofit

Abstract Two full-scale building specimens were tested on the shake-table at EUCENTRE Foundation laboratories in Pavia (Italy), to assess effectiveness of an innovative timber retrofit solution, within a comprehensive research campaign seismic vulnerability existing Dutch unreinforced masonry structures. The buildings represented end-unit two-storey terraced house typical North-Eastern Netherlands, region affected by induced seismicity over last few decades. This typology is particularly vulnerable earthquake excitation due lack details and irregular distribution large openings walls. Both built with same geometry. Their structural system consisted cavity walls, interior load-bearing calcium-silicate leaf exterior clay veneer, included first-floor reinforced concrete slab, second-floor framing, roof structure supported gables. A was designed installed inside second specimen, providing sustainable, light-weight, reversible, cost-effective technique, which could be extensively applied actual buildings. Timber frames connected surface walls completed oriented strands boards nailed them. diaphragm stiffened strengthened layer oriented-strand boards, joists additional blocking elements through planks. These interventions resulted also improved wall-to-diaphragm connections inner both floors, while steel ties added between cavity-wall leaves. application favored global response increased lateral capacities paper describes detail bare retrofitted specimens, compares experimental results obtained similar incremental dynamic test protocols up near-collapse conditions, identifies damage states limits associated displacements deformations.