This paper describes a methodology for analyzing the impulse pressure response of unreinforced concrete masonry walls that have been retrofitted with membranes that are not bonded to the masonry (catcher systems). Membrane catcher systems can be used to protect building occupants from secondary debris resulting from blast pressure, and the effectiveness of systems comprising polymers, composite...

this paper presents a macro model to predict unreinforced masonry structures in plane behavior. the model is based on the concept of multilaminate theory. in the past, the method has been used to model behavior of soil, disregarding the cohesion and the tensile strength. regarding its mathematical base, and the possibility of applying in other cases, this method is used to predict the ultimate ...

When testing multi-storey structures, most testing facilities require the testing of a reduced-scale model. A literature review on tests of scaled masonry structural components revealed that scaling of masonry was rather challenging and often significant differences in stiffness, strength and failure mechanisms between the different sized masonry were reported. This paper addresses the scaling ...

Unreinforced masonry is that in which the tensile strength of the masonry is taken into consideration in design. Allowable out-of-plane tensile stress values are a function of the mortar type, such as Portland cement/lime mortar vs. masonry cement mortar or type M or S mortar vs. type N mortar. The allowable tensile stress is also a function of the masonry construction, such as tension parallel...

A thin layer of ductile fiber-reinforced mortar material referred to as Engineered Cementitious Composites, or ECC has been experimentally investigated as a seismic retrofit for unreinforced masonry infill walls in non-ductile reinforced concrete frames. Compression tests of masonry prisms retrofitted with 13mm of ECC were conducted representing the compression strut of a masonry infill under i...

Strengthening of un-reinforced masonry (URM) structures to improve its seismic performance is not only well recognized among the research community but also getting attention of practicing engineers around the globe. The estimation of lateral capacity and performance of masonry becomes complex because of heterogeneous nature of its constituent materials and other associated problems. Heterogene...

Unreinforced masonry (URM) walls strengthened with composites were tested to failure at a decommissioned building in St. Louis, Missouri. The walls were subjected to out-of-plane loading. Previous work on URM as well as reinforced masonry walls strengthened with FRP laminates has shown remarkable increases in capacity and ductility. However, most of this research work has been conducted in the ...

URM (Unreinforced Masonry) historic buildings can be generally arranged into three categories: adobe, brick and stone masonry. However, a common feature of URM structures is typically the low mechanical properties of the masonry material, especially in terms of shear strength. URM buildings are not amenable to seismic analysis, and the relatively low strength of stone and brickwork masonry ofte...

Masonry dwellings and small commercial buildings are located in areas as diverse as Adelaide, Australia, Wellington, New Zealand, and Memphis, Tennessee. The number of these masonry buildings and their design presents a danger to the human population and a potential economic loss when they are subjected to an earthquake. The dwellings of interest are constructed from unreinforced masonry. They ...