FRP Pultruded Material as Reinforcement for Masonry: Expected Interaction in the Medium and Long Time

Abstract

Masonry buildings are still very common in the area with high seismic zone, such as the Mediterranean countries and other areas of the world recently hit by earthquakes of considerable intensity. The structural reinforcement of the masonry load-bearing elements is often necessary to increase their seismic resistance, also underway to modern regulatory codes. The use of FRP materials (fiber-reinforced polymers), produced by the pultrusion process, is for these purposes of a possible solutions. FRP pultruded structural elements could enhance the seismic capacity of the reinforced masonry structure and represent an advantage. The application of these materials in the field of structural reinforcement, takes place by gluing with appropriate adhesives or by bolting on the element to be reinforced. The aim of our research is the evaluation of the life cycle (LCA) of FRP glued a halted to the masonry. In detail, the research shows the final experimental results, related to the residual mechanical performance of pultruded samples subject to induced aging.