Unidirectional Cyclic Behavior of Old Masonry Walls in Romania

Shear failure of masonry walls is the main cause of collapse for masonry buildings. In Romania, during the 1940 and 1977 Vrancea earthquakes, most of the buildings damage was triggered by the masonry shear failure. Retrofitting of existing masonry buildings is the most effective way of reducing earthquake risk related to buildings in Romania. Reliable input data is necessary to improve the accuracy of the seismic risk assessment of the existing masonry buildings. Worldwide available experimental data should be wisely used as it can be misleading because of scattered materials characteristics and construction practice. Local experimental data that take into account the local materials and state of practice is necessary. This paper presents the results of six experimental tests. Squat masonry walls were subjected to cyclic in-plane lateral loading. Two of the specimens represents unreinforced masonry walls, two others concrete confined masonry elements and the other two retrofitted masonry walls using FRP composites.