This paper investigates the mechanical contribution of an innovative coating applied on masonry wallettes compared to a traditional one. In both cases, the multifunctional coatings were insulating coatings intended for thermal refurbishment, but they could also be used to retrofit masonry. Uncoated specimens as well as coated ones were submitted to pushover tests to establish the strength gain. URM walls experienced brittle failures while the coated walls exhibited significant strength gains and strong ductility. The corresponding finite element models were developed. The behaviour of the URM walls was reproduced accurately in terms of strength and failure pattern. Models involving the coatings were used to partially retrieve the behaviour and to highlight the issues of a continuum approach.
Keywords: damage mechanics; finite element modelling; masonry wallette; pushover test; strengthening; vertical loading mode.