Experimental Study Of The Behavior Of Pp-Band Mesh Retrofitted Masonry Houses Using Miniature Models

Abstract

Adobe/masonry houses are the most seismic vulnerable structures. It is indispensable to retrofit them economically and efficiently to prevent future human casualties. PP-band mesh retrofitting has been proposed for this purpose. In this paper, the seismic behavior of PP-band mesh retrofitted houses is investigated with miniature models made with acryl blocks as masonry units and lime mortar as paste. The main advantage of this approach is that it is possible to reuse the blocks and carry out many tests without significant additional investment for each test. In this way, various conditions can be readily evaluated [1]. Although not discussed in this paper, this type of tests can also be used as in-situ demonstrations to increase the public’s awareness of the vulnerability of adobe/masonry structures and the urgency to retrofit them