Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Masonry Wall Strengthened With Steel Strips

The finite element analysis method was adopted to simulate the masonry wall strengthened with steel strips and was verified by comparing with test results. The influence rules of two factors including the cross sectional area of steel strips and vertical compression were investigated. The results show that, as for unreinforced masonry wall, the relationship of the shear capacity of unreinforced masonry wall and the vertical compressive strain is linear under lateral load; the speed of stiffitess degeneration is accelerated after the peak point of the curves, but decrease with the increasing of lateral displacement. As for masonry wall strengthened with steel strips, the shear capacity increases significantly, and shows nonlinear relationship with the cross section area of the steel strips and vertical compression; ductility is improved. Finally, a computational formula of shear capacity based on a lot of parametric analysis is proposed to calculate the sectional dimension of steel strips, and it provides theoretical foundation for establishing thorough design method of masonry wall strengthened with steel strips.