IN SITU PUSHOVER TESTS ON UNSTRENGTHENED AND CRM STRENGTHENED MASONRY BUILDINGS. PRELIMINARY RESULTS

This paper reports the preliminary results of the “Push ’o ver” research project, which investigated the in situ experimental behaviour of two twin existing masonry buildings, one as built, and one strengthened with composite reinforced mortar (CRM). Originally the two-storey buildings were made of 250-mm-thick, solid-fired-clay, lime-mortar brickwork. CRM is made with a lime and cement mortar as well as a glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) mesh. Additionally, GFRP angle elements are present at corners and GFRP connectors tie the two CRM layers or a single CRM layer and the brickwork. In fact, the CRM system is applied on both wall sides at ground storey and on external one only at the upper storey. The preliminary comparison between the two buildings allows emphasizing the effectiveness of the intervention. The experimental behaviour of both structures is reasonably captured by the frame-equivalent numerical modelling approach, both in terms of ultimate capacity and failure mechanisms.