Analysis of masonry structures strengthened with polymeric net reinforced cementitious matrix materials

The seismic rehabilitation techniques of masonry structures based on the use of plasters reinforced with steel nets have been widely utilized in the last decades. More recently nets made of materials other than steel have been used as plaster reinforcement, among them there are the polymeric nets. These nets allow to overcome some of the limitations of the other strengthening materials and present a good cost–benefit ratio. Experimental campaigns performed on masonry panels reinforced with polymeric nets have allowed to define their mechanical properties for practical design applications and for assessing their seismic capacity. Considering the results of these experimental campaigns in the present study analysis methods of masonry structures made of masonry brick panels strengthened with plasters reinforced with polymeric nets are proposed. The strength and ductility increments of the strengthened panels are accounted for in the global analysis of the construction adopting suitable values of the behavior factor. In the ambit of the limit analysis of the in plane and out of plane collapse mechanisms criteria that allow to account for the contribution of the polymeric net in the containment of the evolution of these mechanisms are defined.