Author
G. SCHWEGLER Ernst Basler & Partners, Zurich

Abstract
Masonry is easy to construct and competitive in cost. It is, therefore, a very widespread method used all over the world. However, a large number of masonry structures are located in seismic regions, and earthquake forces occurring in the bearing structures must be transferred through the masonry into the foundations. Yet the masonry walls, which are loaded by shear and bending, often do not meet current standards. The paper describes the method developed by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA in Dubendorf) to strengthen masonry shear walls with fibre composites.