In this research, the existing methods for strengthening structural elements and their feasibility in rural areas were investigated. Masonry structures are among the most common types of buildings constructed in Iran and many other countries. Due to the lack of suitable seismic resistant systems, improper construction practices, and low quality of materials, these structures are prone to significant damage even during moderate seismic events. In the event of similar earthquakes to the 2017 Kermanshah earthquake, there can be no guarantee of the safety and security of the residents. Earthquakes have become a major concern for civil engineering and building construction. Considering the earthquake-prone nature of Iran, ensuring the structural resilience against earthquakes receives significant attention. Among the various types of buildings, masonry structures are particularly important due to their large number and vulnerability. The limitation on the number of stories has led to similarities in the type and construction of masonry structures, and by offering different strengthening solutions, time and cost can be saved compared to reconstruction. The existence of multiple methods has been the subject of numerous studies, but most of them have focused on a limited number of strengthening techniques. In this research, various strengthening methods were collected, examined, and compared with the codes, and their feasibility in rural areas was investigated. In order for the examined design to be practical and implementable in rural areas, it was evaluated with an economic focus. Therefore, appropriate solutions for strengthening were utilized in the modeling process to prevent economic costs. The overall results of the investigations showed that among all the collected and examined methods, the use of steel strap can be considered one of the best strengthening methods from an economic and practical perspective.
memarzadeh95 A, Soghrat M, Baladi D. (2026). Investigation of existing methods for strengthening masonry structures in rural areas: Evaluation of suitable solutions based on finite element software. JHRE. 45(193), URL: http://jhre.ir/article-1-2492-en.html