Analytical study on the seismic behavior of cracked masonry house walls retrofitted with ferrocement layer

This study numerically evaluates the seismic performance of a cracked wall element from a 1:4 scaled RM house model using ETABS v.22. The model is first analyzed without strengthening under time-history earthquake loads of 0.3 g, 0.6 g, and 1.0 g. Cracking occurred at 1.0 g when the maximum tensile stress reached 0.50 MPa, exceeding the allowable limit of 0.264 MPa. A strengthening approach using a 10 cm wide ferrocement layer applied on both sides of the cracked region is then examined, reducing the tensile stress to 0.33 MPa, although it remains above the allowable value. With the addition of a 5 mm plaster coating on both faces of the strengthened area, the wall tensile stress further decreases to 0.21 MPa, indicating that structural performance has been restored to a safe level below the critical threshold. These results confirm that the combined ferrocement and plaster strengthening system is effective in enhancing the seismic resistance of cracked RM walls in non-engineered residential buildings, thus supporting safer post-earthquake rehabilitation and continued occupancy.