Experimental Evaluation of Full-Scale URM Buildings Strengthened Using Surface-Mounted Steel Bands
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 2
Abstract
Construction of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings has been a common practice in many countries. Strengthening of such buildings located in seismically active regions has become extremely important. Although numerous strengthening techniques have been suggested in the literature, most of these methods are either qualitative in nature or too expensive. In this study, effectiveness of a simple strengthening scheme for URM buildings using surface-mounted steel bands is evaluated by carrying out experimental, numerical, and analytical studies. Three full-scale single-room specimens, unstrengthened as well as strengthened using two configurations of the strengthening scheme, are first tested under quasi-static cyclic loading. The strengthening is found to significantly improve the lateral-load behavior of the URM building. The experimental response data are then used to develop finite-element models for carrying out a parametric numerical study. It is observed that even small cross-sectional area of steel bands are sufficient to improve the lateral-load behavior of URM buildings. There is no appreciable advantage of using higher cross-sectional area of the steel bands. Finally, regression analysis is carried out using the numerical data, and an empirical model is developed for estimation of the lateral strength of the strengthened building.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. List of available data: recorded experimental data and numerical simulation data.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding for the research work provided by the Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under Research Grant No. SB/S3/CEE/0018/2014.
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Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 147 • Issue 2 • February 2021
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© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Mar 14, 2020
Accepted: Sep 18, 2020
Published online: Dec 1, 2020
Published in print: Feb 1, 2021
Discussion open until: May 1, 2021
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