In the United States there exists an abundance of unreinforced masonry buildings. During past earthquakes, such buildings have suffered major structural damage and often collapsed. Current repair and rehabilitation techniques for unreinforced masonry buildings are generally costly and disturb the occupancy and architectural features of the buildings. This research project will examine a repair and rehabilitation technique that eliminates the above-noted problems. In the research, unreinforoed brick masonry walls are strengthened by coring or drilling holes through the center of the unreinforced brick masonry walls followed by the placement of reinforcement in the drilled hole, and filling the hole and adjoining voids with various types of grouts. This research will concentrate on fullscale field tests to determine structural and economic feasibility. The research will aid in future development of needed technology in the rehabilitation and strengthening of both historical and non-historical buildings against future seismic loads. The principal investigator is highly qualified to conduct the research project and an award is recommended for the first year of the two-year complete project. The institution provides excellent support facilities.
