Assessment of Innovative Solutions for Non-Load Bearing Masonry Enclosures

Eurocode 8 imposes the use of reinforced solutions in order to ensure that the in-plane and out-of-plane damage of masonry infill walls due to seismic actions complies with given performance level requirements. Nevertheless, Eurocode 8 does not provide design rules or methodologies for the detailing of such reinforcement. An experimental programme was thus defined for assessing the response of innovative solutions for non-load bearing masonry enclosures using LNEC’s triaxial shake table. Two reinforcement solutions were tested on single leaf clay brick infill walls: (i) horizontal reinforcement in the bedding planes of the masonry units and (ii) reinforced mortar coating. Furthermore, a testing device for masonry infill panels was specifically conceived for this project. A detailed description of the methods used is given and the experimental results are partially presented and interpreted on the basis of the structural response and its evolution with damage.