Development of a Numerical Model to Estimate the Capacity of Confined Tubular Masonry Walls, Unreinforced and Reinforced with Electrowelded Mesh

Resumen

Brick is the predominant material used in dwelling construction in Peru; however, it is used inadequately, without proper technical supervision, resulting in informal buildings. These informal constructions are highly vulnerable, and when combined with Peru’s high seismic hazard, they pose a serious risk of significant human loss during major seismic events. Among these, confined walls made of tubular bricks—also known as confined tubular masonry walls—are the most vulnerable; nevertheless, they are the most common structural walls in informal construction due to their low cost. Thevulnerability of confined tubular masonry walls can be reduced through appropriate reinforcement techniques. In this context, a numerical model was calibrated to estimate the capacity of unreinforced and reinforced confined tubular masonry walls with electrowelded wire mesh. The model incorporates the longitudinal and transverse steel of the confining columns, axial load, masonry prism compressive strength, and electrowelded wire mesh. It follows a bilinear behavior and was calibrated using the multiple linear regression method and test results from the National University of Engineering (UNI) and the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP). The model achieved a coefficient of multiple determination (R2) of 0.88 for resistance and 0.42 for drift, with corresponding standard errors (SEs) of 0.033 and 0.00073, respectively.