FRP Strengthening and Repairing of masonry under compressive load

Strengthening of masonry structures with FRP rods embedded into bed joints is an innovative technique investigated up to now only in few research works, where the objective was shear or flexural improvement (Tinazzi & al., 2000). As most of the masonry structures are load bearing and their static problems are hence related to high compressive stresses, the present work focuses on confinement of masonry members. Depending on the actual condition of the structural member, the FRP confinement can be either a strengthening or a repairing technique. After seismic events or when dealing with historical masonry structures, the application of confining reinforcement is usually a balance of the two approaches, which aims to re-establish safe conditions under new actions. In order to simulate those different cases, in the present research the evaluation of the technique involved also pre-damaged masonry walls subjected, after reparation, to monotonic and cyclic axial compressive loads. An extensive selection of materials and reinforcement configurations was preventively performed, pointing out the mechanical parameters affecting the anchoring strength and effective length. Particularly, studies on bond were carried out considering the different stress conditions under which a masonry member can stand, for example, at the time of the application and under severe actions. Further research could be developed to validate the repairing effectiveness of masonry assemblages under long-term sustained load, which is the typical condition of bearing members of historical masonry structures as towers, bridges and pillars.