Resources

Summary

This paper focuses on the collective experiences in the retrofitting of school buildings and residences of low-strength masonry through different retrofitting techniques. Out of the various retrofit methods employed, wall jacketing and splint and bandage, using steel bars or galvanized wire mesh, have proven to be the most appropriate, both technically and economically viable whilst sufficiently enhancing the overall performance of the building to a level of life safety. The cost of these methods varies from $3 to $6 per square foot area of the building. This paper also includes experience in implementing an alternate retrofit approach using Polypropylene mesh (PP-band) to case masonry walls, a low-cost option for upgrading low-strength masonry buildings.