Abstract
Nowadays, the solution of durability problems of existing buildings has a key role in civil engineering, in which there is an ever-increasing need for building restorations. Over the past 50 years, there is a growing interest in a new composite material, fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP), suitable for increasing the resistance and the stability of existing buildings and, consequently, for extending their service life. In this context, the effectiveness of the strengthening system is related to the bond behaviour that is influenced by several parameters such as bond length, the stiffness of the reinforcement, the mechanical properties of the substrate, environmental conditions, etc. This paper aims to analyse the main experimental results from shear tests performed on two kinds of masonry substrates and different types of FRP reinforcements. The purpose is to highlight the role played by many parameters to the bond behaviour of these systems: the mechanical properties of substrates; the stiffness of reinforcements; the type of supports (i.e., unit or masonry unit). The obtained experimental results underlined that the specimens realised with masonry unit show an increase in debonding load and different stress transfer mechanisms along the bonded length with respect to the specimens with a unit substrate. The analysis of the data revealed that the presence of mortar joints cannot be neglected because it influences the interface global performance.
Highlights
Ancient masonry buildings are very sensitive to seismic events: in other words poor mechanicha tensile proprieties joined to heavy mass
This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the influence of mortar joints on the bond between masonry units and fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) since only a few experimental studies available in the literature discuss these parameters in detail, from both the experimental and analytical points of view
The bond behaviour of different substrates and various FRP reinforcements was analysed by carrying out single shear bond tests
Summary
Ancient masonry buildings are very sensitive to seismic events: in other words poor mechanicha tensile proprieties joined to heavy mass. Chains or wire ropes, masonry or concrete curbs, etc. Traditional techniques were used on masonry units such as epoxy injection, crack stitching. In this context, the geometrical and mechanical proprieties of the substrate, as well as the unit typology (natural stone, clay bricks, hollow blocks, cement clay interlocking brick, etc.), play important roles in identifying the more effective techniques. In recent decades, the use of fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) as externally bonded reinforcement for strengthening masonry constructions has become a wellestablished technique, aiming to improve the whole structural response of masonry structures or even the mechanical behaviour of some structural elements independently by its typology. More recently the research found new solutions based on inorganic matric, such as FRCM (Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Mortar) or CRM
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