Investigation of the Strength of Reinforced Masonry Walls Under the Effect of Earthquake Using Geogrid

Abstract

In this study, the investigation focuses on enhancing the structural integrity of brick wall samples by incorporating geogrid materials of varying strengths. The collapse and shear strengths under horizontal loads were examined in planes, and the results were compared. A comparative analysis has been conducted to evaluate the use of both uniaxial and biaxial geogrid as confinement reinforcement on the surfaces of brick masonry specimens. To draw a comparison, unreinforced masonry walls, masonry walls completely reinforced with uniaxial geogrid material, and masonry wall samples fully reinforced with biaxial geogrid material were created. Moreover, 12 experiments have been carried out, in which the standard slip stress experiment technique recommended by ASTM 1391-81 for masonry wall samples was used. The observed behaviors in the experimental samples including formed cracks, horizontal load-displacement graphs, and energy absorption capacities were compared. The achieved result showed that the masonry wall reinforced with biaxial geogrid material showed a 10% higher load capacity than the unreinforced masonry wall.