Strengthening of Solid Brick Masonry Columns with Joints Collared by Steel Wires

This work presents the results of an experimental investigation on the behavior of columns made of solid clay bricks strengthened by stainless steel wires placed in the joints. The characterization of each constituent property (bricks, mortar, and steel wires) and the compression tests on columns show the effectiveness of the proposed strengthening technique with the result of increased ductility of brick columns. From the analytical point of view a model is proposed which gives the response in terms of the stress-strain curve, by taking into account the presence of steel wires placed in the joints, and the consequences on the effective confinement pressure with the following resulting enhancement of column strength and ductility. The analytical model is validated through the results obtained by the experimental campaign and those given in the literature.