Cyclic two-way out-of-plane testing of unreinforced masonry walls retrofitted using composite materials.

• Full-scale reversed cyclic out-of-plane testing of URM and retrofitted walls. • Two-way bending test under uniformly distributed load using airbags. • Crack patterns and failure modes are studied. • Cyclic degradation of stiffness and strength is estimated. • Strength, stiffness, and energy absorption capacities are compared. This article describes the findings of an experimental programme on reversed cyclic testing of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls retrofitted using three different composite materials, in two-way out-of-plane bending. Welded wire mesh (WWM), basalt fibre mesh (BFM), and basalt fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) are used to retrofit the walls. An experimental setup using hydraulic jacks and airbags is developed to apply vertical pre-compression and uniform out-of-plane pressure. Significance of boundary condition in the behaviour of masonry walls is examined by considering H-shaped walls with different types (integral and non-integral) connections at the top. The results of the reversed cyclic tests are presented in terms of the cracking patterns and hysteretic behaviour. The tested walls are found to possess good post-peak strength and displacement capacity, as well as energy dissipation characteristics. Significant strength and stiffness degradation and non-symmetry of strength in the two loading directions are also observed. The performance of each strengthening system is estimated by considering the flexural capacity, stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation. All the retrofitted walls have developed a substantial increase (up to 73%) in their flexural capacity, up to 482% increase in stiffness, and up to 72% enhancement in the energy absorption capacity, as compared to the URM walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]