Seismic Evaluation of Masonry Buildings Strengthened with Reinforced Concrete Beams and Columns

The pseudo-dynamic seismic tests and lateral cyclic load tests for tie-columns and ring-beams confined masonry structure according to the seismic requirements and masonry structure strengthened with reinforced concrete beams and columns have been carried out. Cracks propagation pattern, hysteretic curves, skeleton curves and stiffness degradation curves were compared and analyzed. The results from tests show that the brick masonry building with tie-columns and ring-beams has good ductility. The brick masonry building strengthened by RC beam-column can keep bearing capacity after serious cracking of masonry wall. The brick building strengthened by RC beam-column can satisfy the requirements of the seismic fortification criterion. The RC beam and column can be used as reinforcement measure to improve the seismic performance of brick buildings.