ABSTRACT
The paper describes the results obtained from an experimental campaign performed to assess the feasibility of an innovative strengthening technique for earthen constructions, which improves the seismic performance. The retrofitting technique is based on the application of geogrids on both sides of the earthen wall. The geogrid is inserted in the mud plaster which is applied to the wall surface in two steps. No additional connections are adopted, and the connection between the geogrid and the wall is granted exclusively by the mud plaster. Almost twenty small walls were built with different types of geogrids available in the market or without any of them. The walls were tested in laboratory under simple compression, diagonal shear, and three-point bending. In addition, some other walls were built to check the durability of the system with respect to environmental conditions. Some samples were also created applying the geogrids on an existing building.
