In-plane design for masonry walls strengthened by FRP materials

Masonry structures constitute a large percentage of the current buildings in most countries around the world. Many of these buildings need structural improvement to meet the requirements on seismic resistance of modern building code. In the last years, a growing interest has been direct to the application of FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) materials as strengthening materials because they may provide solutions for the strengthening of masonry due to their easy application and their favourable structural performances (mechanical and physical characteristics, corrosion immunity and others potentials). Nowadays few design guidelines are available to apply FRP on masonry structures. This paper presents a proposal for design recommendations for shear strengthening of unreinforced masonry walls with FRP systems. The proposed design protocol is within existing building codes for traditional materials. The adopted methodology offers a rational attempt of in-plane upgrade of structural masonry walls with bonded FRP systems.