Masonry walls behavior determination under cyclic loads by experimental and finite element method and strengthening with FRP material

The overall objective of this thesis is to study the behavior of structural unreinforced masonry under seismic effects and how to make it more resistant to these effects. To achieve this goal, the work was based first on analytical studies then experimental during which analyzes and tests were carried out. Five walls had been taken into account for this work: four walls formed of perforated bricks and one wall of threshing bricks. The numerical studies had started with the simplified micro-modelling of each wall using the ABAQUS software, through which lateral cyclic loads are applied to the walls in the plane. This application of force had generated damage characterized by cracks. In these numerical analyzes, it was also considered to take the frequency and the shape mode of the walls (modal analysis) to be able to compare them with the experimental results later. As for the experimental part, it begins with the construction of the walls, follows the recording of frequencies through receivers placed on them, then are applied Depending on the walls, this process had been reversed, that is to say that the recording of frequencies was made either before the damage, or even after the reinforcement of the wall. This reinforcement to fill the cracks is made using layers of CFRP with epoxy resin. Finally, all these results of the analyzes and laboratory tests are compiled and compared in order to evaluate the seismic effects and the solutions that the CFRP brought in the reinforcement of the walls.