As a continuation of TFMRO project (2015-2017), the STRONGPa project (2022-2024) evaluates the efficiency of several strengthening techniques designed for timber frame walls with masonry and “traditional” infills.
The main objective is to offer the general population and specific governmental and local authorities, strengthening solutions specific to “paianta” houses, validated through experimental tests that simulate the subjecting of real size walls to seismic load. The methods aim to help maintain, explore and disseminate the value of this type of traditional house that is part of the cultural identity of our country.
After the experimental campaign in which walls, connections and component materials are to be tested to check each method proposed, a comparison will be made between all the proposed and tested methods, in terms of effectiveness, cost and also easiness to apply in the field. The comparison will maintain a reference to previous projects related to the topic, but also other researchers’ (international) results.
Besides the experimental program for the scientific scope of the project, one “Paianta” wall will be built without any strengthening and tested in laboratory. After the test, a workshop will be organized with volunteers, and they will help us apply a strengthening solution on the damaged wall, and after that it will be tested again to check the effectiveness of the solution. The most effective strengthening solution is to be determined after our experimental program, taking also into account the feedback from volunteers that actually check the easiness of its application to real size wall specimens.
A guideline will be written, and published into a book, with all the conclusions of the project, thus the stakeholders can choose, depending on their budget and skills available, a suitable solution for strengthening a “paianta” house.
The project is financially supported by the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, CNCS – UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-1428 – Experimental Demonstrative Project (UEFISCDI Romania), budget 130 000 euro, 2022-2024”
