Experimental characterization of in-plane behaviour of old masonry walls strengthened through the addition of CFRP reinforced render

• Published in: Composites. Part B, Engineering Vol. 148; no. C; pp. 14 - 26
• Main Authors: Guerreiro, João, Proença, Jorge, Ferreira, João Gomes, Gago, António
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2018; Elsevier
• Subjects: CFRP mesh; In-plane loads; Masonry walls; Reinforced render; Seismic strengthening; CFRP mesh; Seismic strengthening; Masonry walls; In-plane loads; Reinforced render
• ISSN: 1359-8368; 1879-1069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.04.045

This article presents the results of an extensive experimental programme investigating the structural performance for in-plane loads of old masonry walls strengthened using a specific technique that consisted of applying a CFRP mesh embedded within a shotcreted render. In this article the expression old masonry refers to rubble stone masonry with lime-based mortar but it is believed that the strengthening technique can also be applied to other types of old masonry (e.g. solid or almost solid clay or concrete brick masonry).
The reinforcing composite material, called CFRP reinforced render (CFRP-RR), is characterized by the use of a CFRP mesh and the shotcreted pre-mixed mortar, lime-based, specific for the rehabilitation of old masonry load bearing walls. This material is applied to one or both faces of the masonry walls, thus improving both the in-plane and out-of-plane behaviour for horizontal loads (the latter benefits are described in Ref. [1]).
The experimental programme consisted of the in-plane testing of full-scale physical models of walls, herewith called specimens. These were subjected to reversed cyclic horizontal loads (simulating earthquake loads) with constant vertical loads (simulating gravity loads). The comparison between the experimental results of the non-reinforced with the reinforced (strengthened) specimens allowed the quantification of the inherent benefits in terms of structural performance under earthquake actions.
•In-plane lateral load tests of an innovative strengthening solution for loadbearing masonry wall buildings are presented.•The tensile strength of the reinforced specimens is provided by a CFRP mesh.•The technique has other advantages, as the ones resulting from using a non-cementitious mortar applied through shotcreting.•In-plane lateral behaviour is significantly improved, namely in terms of strength, energy dissipation and damage control.•The overall physical features of the walls are kept unchanged with this strengthening.