Seismic strengthening of masonry infilled reinforced concrete frames with steel-fibre-reinforced mortar

Abstract

In addition to high seismicity, poor construction quality, incorrect detailing and structural mistakes in Turkey have caused enormous loss of life and property. Therefore, seismic rehabilitation has been a major topic for civil engineers in Turkey. The object of this research is to develop a simple method that will provide strengthening of buildings without evacuating the inhabitants. This study is based on application of steel-fibre-reinforced mortar on masonry infill walls with the aim of converting nonstructural partition walls into load-carrying walls. The specimens were one-third scale, two-storey, single-bay reinforced concrete frames with hollow brick masonry infills. The main variables were the ratio of fibre (0% and 2%), fibre reinforced mortar thickness (0, 10 and 20 mm), existence of anchorage (non-anchored or anchored) and type of fibres (steel fibre, polypropylene fibre or hybrid fibre). Strengthening by the application of steel-fibre-reinforced mortar on infill walls of frames retarded the early out of plane failure of the walls and converted the existing non-structural walls into load-carrying walls, so that the strength, stiffness and energy dissipation capacity of the frame increased significantly.