Numerical Analysis of Geosynthetic Strengthened Brick Masonry Panels

Abstract

Un-reinforced masonry (URM) structure is extremely vulnerable to seismic actions. Their susceptibility to collapse has provided the concussion to develop strengthening techniques to strengthen URM buildings. The numerical analysis of the in-plane behaviour of un-reinforced and geotextile strengthened brick masonry specimen, using a 3D macro nonlinear model, is presented in this paper. All specimens are subjected to diagonal compression tests. Two different patterns viz. parallel and diagonal are strengthened. Numerical analyses are carried out to verify the efficiency of the reinforcement with geosynthetic. From the investigation, it is noticed that geosynthetic strengthening enhanced the load-bearing capability, diagonal shear strength and stiffness remarkably. It is estimated that the diagonal shear strength enhanced from 36% to 39%. Hence, masonry strengthened with geosynthetic will perform better in the seismic prone area.