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Seismic retrofitting solution of an adobe masonry wall

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Abstract

Adobe constructions represent a high percentage of the national patrimony, with high historical, cultural and architectonic value. Well-preserved adobe structures can exhibit a particular architecture with very attractive geometric characteristics while also incorporating natural materials. However, the behavior of these structures is deficient under horizontal loads, such as those induced by an earthquake, which endangers their structural integrity and human lives. To develop a seismic retrofit solution, a real-scale wall was characterized and tested by considering permanent vertical actions with cyclic horizontal forces of increasing amplitude. To retrofit the wall, repair and seismic reinforcement solutions were developed and combined to evaluate their efficiencies. To repair the damages, hydraulic lime gum was injected by pressure into the cracks. The reinforcement solution included the use of a synthetic mesh in the wall. The retrofitted wall was then tested, and the results indicated that the retrofit solutions significantly improved the seismic performance of the wall. This study contributes to the characterization of walls constructed with adobe masonry and their behavior under horizontal actions. Furthermore, an economic, sustainable and efficient solution is presented for the retrofitting of adobe walls, with significant performance improvements obtained.

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Acknowledgments

The authors of this paper would like to express their deepest thanks to all of the people, companies and institutions that allowed this research to be pursued by helping with the preparation and development of the experimental tests, including the Laboratory of Earthquake and Structural Engineering (LESE), Faculty of Engineering, Porto University; STAP; Fregaze; Aveiro City Council; and the Physics, Mechanical and Geological Sciences Departments of Aveiro University, all of which are located in Portugal.

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  1. Departamento de Engenharia Civil, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    A. Figueiredo, H. Varum, A. Costa, D. Silveira & C. Oliveira

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  1. A. Figueiredo
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  2. H. Varum
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  3. A. Costa
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  4. D. Silveira
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  5. C. Oliveira
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Correspondence to H. Varum.

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Figueiredo, A., Varum, H., Costa, A. et al. Seismic retrofitting solution of an adobe masonry wall. Mater Struct 46, 203–219 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-012-9895-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-012-9895-1

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