Lateral strength evaluation of ferrocement strengthened masonry infilled RC frame based on experimentally observed failure mechanisms

In developing countries, lateral strengthening of seismically vulnerable masonry infilled RC buildings is one of the major concerns. In this context, ferrocement can be used as low cost and less labor-intensive strengthening scheme for those buildings. This study aims to experimentally identify major failure mechanisms, and to develop a lateral strength evaluation procedure of ferrocement strengthened masonry infilled RC frame. Mainly four major failure mechanisms (i.e. overall flexural, column punching-joint sliding, diagonal compression, and diagonal cracking-sliding) are identified from the current experimental work and past experimental studies. The strength evaluation procedure, based on the identified failure mechanisms, is proposed and verified with an average calculated to experimental lateral strength ratio of 0.8.