Influence of fibre reinforced polymers in the rehabilitation of damaged masonry wallettes

Abstract

In the past decade, the interest in repair and retrofitting of existing structures and rehabilitation of the damaged structures has led to the development of more effective and low invasive architectural and engineering strategies. In this aspect, the application of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthening techniques has become reasonably widespread as suitable solutions in addition to the traditional ones. They are promising techniques because of their key characteristics such as: high specific strength, high stiffness, small thickness compared to conventional materials, low influence on the global mass, little durability concerns, ease of handling, flexibility and fast installation that improve on-site productivity, and have a low impact on building functions. In this context, the use of carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) and glass fibre reinforced polymers (GFRP) for the rehabilitation of damaged small masonry walls (here called wallettes) was investigated experimentally. This study sought to measure the maximum loading carrying capacity of the wallettes and to assess the possible structural rehabilitation in the damaged masonry structures after their reinforcement with the composite polymers. For the adhesion between the wallettes and the reinforcement fibres, primer, putty and a saturant glue epoxy resins were used. Debonding between the FRP composites and the substrate has been recognized as the primary failure mechanism of this reinforcement system and it occurs when the system shear capacity is reached and the FRP is detached from the element. This phenomenon is also addressed in this paper. In general, the experimental results showed the recovery of the original compressive loading bearing capacity of the structures, in spite of the debonding of the FRP composites. Moreover, it could be observed an increasing of up to 39% and up to 49% of the compressive strength for the damaged masonry wallettes reinforced with CFRP and GFRP systems, respectively. The recover (or even rise) in the loading capacity of the reinforced structures due to the external fibres bonding is a good indication of their effectiveness in these situations.

Enhancing the In-Plane Behavior of a Hybrid Timber Frame–Mud and Stone Infill Wall Using PP Band Mesh on One Side

“…ElGawady et al [19] found that the lateral strength and stiffness of a masonry wall was 1.4-5.9 times higher after retrofitting using a one-sided carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) bonding method. Chagas et al [20] reinforced a masonry wall with vertical glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) strips. Similar studies on the cyclic loading of brick walls strengthened with vertical, horizontal, or diagonal CFRP strips or basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) strips were conducted by Fam et al [21], Marcari et al [22], and Zhou et al [23,24].…”