FEATURES OF RECONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS WITH MASONRY WALLS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT SEISMIC REQUIREMENTS

Abstract

The article examines the peculiarities of reconstructing buildings with masonry (brick) walls considering the modern seismic resistance requirements defined by the national standard DBN V.1.1-12:2014 “Construction in Seismic Regions of Ukraine.” The issue of improving the seismic performance of existing masonry buildings is particularly relevant for Ukraine, as a significant portion of the residential and public building stock was erected in the first half of the 20th century without accounting for horizontal dynamic loads. Such buildings are characterized by low ductility, limited crack resistance, and insufficient spatial rigidity, which makes them potentially vulnerable to seismic effects even of moderate intensity.

The purpose of this study is to develop effective structural solutions for strengthening existing masonry walls during building reconstruction, ensuring compliance with current seismic safety and reliability standards. To achieve this, a detailed technical inspection of an industrial building was carried out. The structure consists of longitudinal and transverse load-bearing brick walls, brick columns, steel girders, and precast reinforced concrete roof elements. During the inspection, the overall technical condition of the structural elements was found to be satisfactory, and no critical damages or deformations were detected. However, based on analytical assessment and experience from similar structures affected by seismic actions, typical damage patterns were identified that could potentially occur under earthquake loading — such as diagonal cracking caused by shear deformations, delamination of masonry layers, loss of wall-to-floor connections, and local damage near openings or wall intersections.

To prevent the occurrence of such damages, a system of structural strengthening measures has been proposed. The concept includes the installation of steel channel belts at the floor and roof levels to form rigid diaphragms that unite the walls into a continuous spatial system, and the application of steel jackets at wall corners, intersections, and stress concentration zones. These solutions significantly enhance the building’s stiffness and integrity, increasing the masonry’s compressive and shear strength by 1.5–2 times, and improving its resistance to horizontal dynamic effects.

The proposed strengthening approach ensures the required seismic stability of reconstructed masonry buildings without full replacement of structural elements. This provides both technical and economic efficiency, prolongs the service life of existing buildings, and enhances safety for occupants in regions with seismicity up to 9 on the MSK-64 scale.