ABSTRACT
Walls become independent structures positioned under external loads. This worrying issue of horizontal pressure is also increased in areas of regular seismic activity.
Traditionally in Spain great improvements have been made to the behaviour of earth walls by modifying its composition (adding lime) or by bettering the constructive method (steel wall, cemented wall, etc.) (Font et al., 2009; Graciani et al., 2008; Castilo et al., 2003). Although these improvements increase resistance in constructions, they do not provide the solution to the weakness caused by the lack of traction resistance in the uppermost corners and the joints between walls. The solutions to this problem are three types of corner bracings: placing ashlars or rough stone into the corners in place of earth; using ring beams whether they be reinforced into the corners or not; embedding wooden struts into the walls.
