Response of infilled RC frames retrofitted with a cementitious fiber-mesh reinforced coating in moderate seismicity areas

A series of reverse cyclic tests on three hollow clay brick masonry infills, including a not strengthened wall as well as a strengthened and a repaired specimen, was carried out. A special RC frame provided with steel hinges at the columns edges was built to simulate flexural mechanisms generally occurring in weakly reinforced frames. Results proved the ability of the adopted technique to significantly improve both lateral stiffness and resistance of infills. However, the observed behavior suggested future improvements that may lead to a further increment of the infill capacity.