Design method for masonry structures retrofitted with steel reinforced plaster

In this paper an analytical approach for the design and assessment of masonry structures retrofitted with steel reinforced plaster (SRP) is proposed. The aim of the proposed method is to consider the main parameters affecting the performance of the strengthened wall (such as masonry properties, plaster properties, spacing and number of connectors) and provide a general formulation for practitioners to use in the design of SRP retrofitting interventions in place of the common empirically-based numerical coefficients proposed by the Italian Standard. The approach is developed starting from the experimental results of diagonal compression tests performed on clay brick walls retrofitted with SRP presented by the authors in previous studies. The maximum load is analytically predicted considering that the plaster and masonry layers work in parallel. A validation is conducted using additional experimental data available in literature. The obtained formulation is able to approximate the experimental values, being on the safe side against them in most of the cases. It is important to note that the method has been developed and validated using a limited number of experimental results. For this reason, adjustments may be needed for different types of masonry, plaster or anchor configurations.