Publications

In Peru, construction of dwellings using confined masonry walls (CM) has a high percentage of acceptance within many sectors of the population. It is estimated that only in Lima, 80% of the constructions use CM and at least 70% of these are informal constructions. This mean that they are built without proper technical advice and generally have a high seismic vulnerability. One way to reduce this vulnerability is by reinforcing the walls. However, despite the existence of some reinforcement methods in the market, not all of them can be applied massively because there are other parameters to take into account, as economical, criteria for seismic improvement, reinforcement ratio, etc. Therefore, in this paper the feasibility of using five reinforcement techniques has been studied and compared. These reinforcements are: welded mesh (WM), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), steel bar wire mesh (CSM), steel reinforced grout (SRG). The Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method can be useful to evaluate the most optimal strengthening technique for a fast, effective and massive use plan in Peru. The results of using MCDM with 10 criteria indicate that the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) and Steel Reinforced Grout (SRG) methods are the most suitable for a massive reinforcement application in Lima.

Confined brick masonry (CBM) combines masonry walls with reinforced concrete ties for enhanced structural integrity. The wall-to-tie connection is essential for effective load transfer, preventing out-of-plane failure, and enhancing ductility. Introducing tie-columns into masonry walls through various toothing connections is crucial. However, previous research and guidelines do not provide clear insights into their specific contributions, making it difficult to accurately assess their impact. Addressing this gap, our study employed a robust numerical approach, utilizing an integrated finite element macromodel that treated wall and tie members as a single entity, thereby improving computational efficiency. Additionally, the study applied the concrete damage plasticity model to predict damage progression in CBM walls and performed pushover analysis to evaluate the seismic performance of various toothing schemes in CBM walls. An extensive parametric study was conducted to compare various toothing schemes, evaluate the optimal horizontal and vertical projections of tooth, assess the impact of height-to-thickness ratio on toothing schemes, and investigate the effect of openings on the performance of toothing schemes in CBM walls. This research also assessed the severity of damage encountered by CBM walls, providing insights into crack propagation and distribution and emphasizing the significance of its design. This study highlights the critical role of toothing schemes in the seismic performance of CBM walls, with the machine-made toothing schemes demonstrating superior results. These schemes significantly enhanced ultimate strength, stiffness, and energy absorption compared to handmade, horizontal reinforcement, and no-tooth options. The research also quantified the positive correlation between increased wall thickness and improved structural resilience, particularly when paired with machine-made toothing. Furthermore, the study identified the adverse effects of wall openings on seismic performance, emphasizing the importance of precise tooth size and arrangement. Notably, a 100-mm vertical projection was shown to offer the most effective seismic performance, providing valuable, data-driven guidelines for the design of earthquake-resistant CBM structures.

Confined brick masonry (CBM) structures have demonstrated success in seismic regions due to their straightforward construction and efficient wall-to-column connections. However, there is not enough comprehensive understanding about how these structures respond to changes in geometry and material. Addressing this gap, our study employs a robust numerical technique, utilizing an integrated finite element macromodel. In this approach, we treat wall and tie members as a unified entity, enhancing computational efficiency. The concrete damage plasticity method is applied to predict the evolution of CBM wall damage, with a subsequent pushover analysis conducted to ascertain seismic capacity and response reduction factor. This factor is further used as a criterion to appraise the performance and seismic response of CBM walls. An extensive parametric study is carried out that compares the response of CBM wall with reinforced concrete (RC) infill wall, examines the impact of different opening sizes and confinement schemes around openings in CBM walls, and considers various masonry material properties. The study presents insights into damage propagation of CBM walls under seismic action particularly for cases of opening, confinement around opening, and material type. Findings indicate the superiority of CBM structures over RC infill walls, especially in earthquake-prone regions. Crucially, confinement around openings is identified as a pivotal factor in restoring lost strength, with Scheme A and E emerging as structurally and economically viable optimal confinement schemes. Furthermore, this study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate masonry type and mortar mix proportions in designing CBM walls for seismic resistance.