Author
FÓDI, A.; BÓDI, I.
Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary, Department of Structural Engineering

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present the influence of different reinforcement directions on the shear resistance and crack pattern of solid masonry walls. The beneficial influence of mixed reinforcement is clearly shown. Two test series were made on 1,60×1,20 m walls built from solid masonry units: with strong mortar and with weak mortar. Each of the series consists of testing four walls: one plain, one vertically, one horizontally and one vertically and horizontally reinforced solid masonry wall. In order to investigate the effect of vertical reinforcement, a new type of brick bonding was developed. This type of bonding allows application of the same solid bricks for each wall. The walls were subjected to monotonic in-plain shear loading during constant vertical compression. Force-displacement diagrams, first cracking forces, maximum horizontal load applied, maximum displacements at the top, the force applied for the maximum displacement were compared and evaluated for all specimens. A discrete element model was developed to follow the character of the cracks, providing an adequate distribution of displacements and stresses.

Key words
reinforcement, crack pattern, shear resistance, experiment, discrete element model