Description

This session follows the complete process of strengthening an existing masonry building, starting with the assessment of structural deficiencies that make an intervention necessary. It then introduces the main strengthening techniques used in practice, including FRP and TRM systems, improved wall-to-wall and wall-to-floor connections, and diaphragm strengthening.

The modelling part shows how a retrofit is represented in the analysis model. This includes modifying material, section and stiffness properties, adding new elements, and updating connection conditions so that the strengthened structure is captured realistically.

In the final part, the original and strengthened models are compared side by side in terms of stiffness, strength, displacement and stress distribution. This comparison is used to demonstrate whether the chosen strengthening intervention actually improves the building’s behaviour, giving engineers a clear way to verify and justify their retrofit decisions.