Seismic Performance of Masonry Walls Strengthened with Externally Attached Precast Concrete Panels under Cyclic Loading

Xuhong Fan

doi:10.46604/ijeti.2026.16476

Authors

Xuhong Fan Shanxi Polytechnic College, Taiyuan, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46604/ijeti.2026.16476

Keywords:

masonry wall, precast concrete panel, seismic strengthening, cyclic loading, shear-key connection

Abstract

This study aims to develop a low-disruption prefabricated strengthening method to improve the seismic performance of existing masonry walls by externally attaching precast concrete panels. Four masonry wall specimens are tested under quasi-static cyclic loading, including one unstrengthened control wall and three strengthened walls with grouting, shear-key, and combined grouting and shear-key connections. Failure mode, crack development, hysteretic response, energy dissipation, displacement ductility, bearing capacity, and lateral stiffness are evaluated. Results show that the strengthened specimens increase ultimate bearing capacity by 5.92, 5.70, and 5.46 times, respectively, relative to the control specimen, and lateral stiffness by 2.76, 1.94, and 2.30 times, respectively, compared with the control specimen. Grouting improves capacity and stiffness, while shear keys enhance ductility but induce severe local damage. The combined connection provides better deformation compatibility, crack control, and a more balanced seismic performance.

References

I. Hafner, T. Kišiček, and M. Gams, “Review of Methods for Seismic Strengthening of Masonry Piers and Walls,” Buildings, vol. 13, no. 6, article no. 1524, 2023.

A. Keshmiry, S. Hassani, U. Dackermann, and J. Li, “Assessment, Repair, and Retrofitting of Masonry Structures: A Comprehensive Review,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 442, article no. 137380, 2024.

A. Majumder, F. Stochino, M. Valdes, G. Concu, M. Pepe, and E. Martinelli, “Sustainable Masonry Retrofitting and Upgrading Techniques: A Review,” Fibers, vol. 13, no. 6, article no. 68, 2025.

S. Petrovčič, P. Prašnikar, and V. Kilar, “Seismic Assessment and FRCM Strengthening of Post-War Masonry Residential Buildings: A Case Study on Building Typologies,” International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, vol. 119, article no. 105341, 2025.

N. Gattesco, E. Rizzi, I. Boem, A. Dudine, and M. Gams, “Seismic Strengthening of Existing Brick Masonry with CRM Coatings on One Side,” Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, vol. 23, no. 9, pp. 3779-3808, 2025.

N. Gattesco, E. Rizzi, I. Boem, A. Dudine, and M. Gams, “A New Method of Seismic Strengthening Stone Masonry with CRM Coatings on One Side,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 407, article no. 133565, 2023.

M. Scamardo, S. Cattaneo, P. Crespi, and L. Biolzi, “Design Method for Masonry Structures Retrofitted with Steel Reinforced Plaster,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 79, article no. 107828, 2023.

M. Scamardo, S. Cattaneo, and P. Crespi, “Masonry Retrofitting with Steel Reinforced Plaster: Experimental and Analytical Study,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 108, article no. 112890, 2025.

L. Pérez-Pinedo, C. Sandoval, R. Alvarado, L. Vargas, S. Calderón, and E. Bernat, “Seismic Strengthening of Partially Grouted Masonry Walls with Openings: Evaluation of Ferrocement and BTRM Solutions,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 88, article no. 109235, 2024.

P. Tian, W. Yang, C. Cao, Z. Bian, Z. Yun, and J. Lu, “A Study of the Seismic Resistance Performance of Strengthened Masonry Walls Using Polypropylene Mesh-Composite on the Surface,” Structures, vol. 68, article no. 107270, 2024.

S. Jafarian, M. Esmaelian, M. Shekarchi, and M. Ghassemieh, “Performance of Low-Carbon Textile-Reinforced Mortar: Out-of-Plane Response of Strengthened Masonry Walls,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 415, article no. 134904, 2024.

N. Tarifa, Z. I. Djamai, and F. Duprat, “Effect of Textile Reinforced Mortar Components on the Mechanical Behavior of Historical Masonry Structures under Cyclic Loading,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 83, article no. 108334, 2024.

F. Qu, S. Yin, F. Wang, and B. Wang, “Effects of Textile-Reinforced Concrete on the Cyclic Shear Behavior of Damaged Confined Brick Masonry Walls,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 78, article no. 107717, 2023.

S. Shahzamani and M. R. Eftekhar, “Experimental Study on Using Steel Wires via the NSM Method to Improve the Behaviour of Masonry Panels,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 385, article no. 131473, 2023.

M. Scamardo, S. Cattaneo, P. Crespi, and N. Vafa, “Cyclic Behavior of C-Shaped Masonry Wall Retrofitted with Twisted Bars or Bonded Rebars,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 443, article no. 137703, 2024.

X. Sun, P. Shi, H. Zhu, Z. Dong, B. Mu, and C. K. Soh, “Shear Performance of Brick Masonry Walls Strengthened by Deep Structural Repointing Using FRP Reinforcement,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 111, article no. 113187, 2025.

X. Sun, H. Zhu, P. Shi, Z. Dong, G. Zhang, and Y. Pan, “Strengthening Masonry Walls by Self-Prestressing Reinforced Repointing Using Fe-SMA Materials: A Feasibility Study,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 502, article no. 144340, 2025.

A. Alaskar, M. Ghalla, R. W. Bazuhair, G. Elsamak, M. Emara, and M. A. Altobgy, “Seismic Rehabilitation of Brick Masonry Walls with Central Openings Using Hybrid GFRP Configurations,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 111, article no. 113464, 2025.

E. A. Mlybari, M. Ghalla, J. W. Hu, R. W. Bazuhair, M. A. Altobgy, and A. A. Alkhawaldeh, “Value-Oriented SHCC-Based Strengthening of Masonry Walls with Openings: Integration of Glass Fiber Mesh and Steel Bars for Seismic Risk Mitigation in Construction,” Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 23, article no. e05511, 2025.

L. Pérez-Pinedo, C. Sandoval, L. Vargas, and R. Alvarado, “In-Plane Cyclic Response of Partially Grouted Masonry Walls Repaired and Retrofitted with SRG Strips,” Engineering Failure Analysis, vol. 182, part B, article no. 110078, 2025.

C. Mollamahmutoglu, M. Ozturk, and M. O. Yilmaz, “Shear Capacity of Masonry Walls Externally Strengthened via Reinforced Khorasan Jacketing,” Buildings, vol. 15, no. 13, article no. 2177, 2025.

Z. U. Abidin, K. Shahzada, A. Gul, Y. Alqaryouti, M. Azab, M. Rizwan, et al., “Strengthening of Masonry Infill Wall Panels in Reinforced Concrete Structures Using Dual Strengthening Strategy of Ferrocement and ECC Overlays,” Cogent Engineering, vol. 11, no. 1, article no. 2388794, 2024.

W. Tan, T. Zhou, L. Zhu, X. Zhao, W. Yu, L. Zhang, et al., “Seismic Performance of a Single-Story Timber-Framed Masonry Structure Strengthened with Fiber-Reinforced Cement Mortar,” Materials, vol. 17, no. 15, article no. 3644, 2024.

P. Foraboschi, “Shear Strength of a Dowel Plate Anchored to a Masonry Wall,” Engineering Structures, vol. 329, article 119773, 2025.

Y. Q. Zhang, X. C. Lin, T. Wang, and K. Skalomenos, “Seismic Behavior of Masonry Walls Strengthened by Precast Reinforced Concrete Panels with Different Connection Details,” Engineering Structures, vol. 242, article no. 112597, 2021.