This paper presents the results of in-plane cyclic loading tests conducted on confined masonry walls retrofitted
using low-cost ferrocement and GFRP systems. Ten wall assemblies with a 0.80-scale were built,
consisting of a clay masonry panel, two confining columns and a tie beam. The assemblies were tested
under a combination of a vertical load and lateral reversed cyclic loading with a displacement controlled
loading protocol up to failure. Wall panels had various configurations, namely, solid walls, perforated
walls with window and door openings. Two composite materials (ferrocement and GFRP) and three retrofitting
configurations (diagonal ‘‘X’’, corner, and full coverage) were investigated. Key experimental
results showed that the proposed upgrading techniques improved the lateral resistance of the confined
walls by a factor ranging from 25% to 32%with a significant increase in the ductility and energy absorption
of the panel ranging from 33% to 85%; however, the improvement in lateral drifts was less significant.
Regarding the upgrading configurations, the diagonal ‘‘X’’ and full coverage can help prevent diagonal
shear failure especially in tie columns and convert the failure mode to a panel-rocking mode.
Additionally, in all retrofitting cases, collapse was significantly delayed by maintaining the wall integrity
under large lateral deformations. A good agreement was found by comparing deformed shapes, crack patterns
and capacity curves of finite element models included in this study.