In-plane dynamic excitation of AAC masonry walls patched with FRP: dynamic testing and analysis

The paper studies the dynamic behavior of autoclave aerated concrete (AAC) masonry walls externally strengthened with composite materials and subjected to in-plane dynamic loads.The study combines experimental, analytical and numerical methodologies, presents the results of two types of dynamic tests, and uses them for comparison with a finite element approach that is based on specially tailored high-order finite elements.The first dynamic test focuses on the natural frequencies and vibration modes of the patched wall.The second set of tests focuses on the dynamic response of the wall to in-plane base excitation.The analysis uses the specially tailored finite elements, combines them with conventional elements, and compares the results with the experiments.The discussion supports the validation of the model and throws light on a range of phenomena that characterize the dynamic behavior of the strengthened wall.These phenomena range from the global in-plane to out-of-plane coupling to the localized effects at the strengthened layer level.