Testing and modelling of seismic connector for traditional masonry walls

The use of steel fiber connectors bonded by inorganic matrix is extremely suitable for structural reinforcement of historic masonry buildings: it can be used both as cross section connector of double leaf walls, and as reinforcement for out of plane panel’s behavior. This modern system is not yet covered by legislation, so experimental tests and numerical models give an helpful tool for those who are going to design this anchorage system. This research involved unidirectional steel fibers into blind holes, injected with lime mortar; it was estimated the maximum tensile force applied to these connectors and their damage mode. The study is divided into three parts: the first shows the experimental campaign to determination of mechanical properties of masonry; the second gives the values of in-situ pull-out tests on connectors inserted into injected holes in masonry wall; the third proposes the results of numerical analysis developed with the finite element program ANSYS. The FEM model is able to reproduce the pull-out test: in particular it has provided values of maximum resistance of the connectors comparable to experimental test and it shows the same failure mode. The model represents a useful and economical tool for the design of this modern system of connection.