Review of Methods for Seismic Strengthening of Masonry Piers and Walls

The seismic strengthening of buildings in earthquake-prone areas has been a hot topic in recent years, especially for masonry structures. Because there are so many masonry structures and because most were built before seismic codes existed, their seismic vulnerability is an unavoidable issue. Over the years, several methods for seismic strengthening of masonry piers and walls have been developed that may roughly be classified as traditional or modern. In this paper, an overview of the most commonly used and effective methods will be presented with an emphasis on modern methods based on a Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix. The advantages and disadvantages will be discussed from the point of view of usability, feasibility, and effectiveness. Finally, a comparison will be drawn between traditional and new methods based on composite materials.

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