SHEAR STRUCTURAL RESPONSE OF A PROTOTYPE STRENGTHENING SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR STONE MASONRY PANELS

This paper presents the set-up needed for an experimental study regarding the in-plane shear behaviour of stone masonry panels, strengthened with a prototype hemp reinforced mortar. Seven stone masonry panels will be designed and manufactured for this purpose: one unreinforced, three plastered on both sides and three plastered on a single side. The aim of this experimental study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the prototype hemp reinforced mortar in enhancing the shear strength and the displacement capacity of the stone masonry walls. In addition, the design and the manufacturing stages of the prototype hemp reinforced mortar have been carefully described, thus allowing an easy application of this TRM system on a large scale. Crucial aspects regarding the shear behaviour of stone masonry unstrengthen/strengthened walls, such as the quantification of the ultimate forces and displacements, the description of the dominant failure modes, and the characterization of the stress-strain state may be analysed by performing the envisaged experimental study based on the proposed set up.