Results of an experimental campaign conducted on plain and reinforced masonry wallettes subjected to diagonal compression tests are presented in this paper. The masonry panels were reinforced by means of two strengthening techniques: structural repointing achieved by inserting basalt bars in the mortar bed joints and fiber reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composite, obtained by applying a single-ply glass mesh on the sides of the specimens. The structural effects of symmetric and asymmetric strengthening configurations are investigated. The main mechanical parameters, such as shear capacity, ductility and shear modulus, are compared and discussed introducing a calibrated reinforcement ratio. Further, analytical procedures presented in the codes and in literature are followed to predict the shear capacity of the unstrengthened and strengthened wallettes and, finally, compared to the values obtained experimentally.

Strengthening of masonry walls is a key aspect during building retrofitting operations having conservation goals. “Reinforced repointing technique” involves the application of materials having high tensile strength such as steel bars, steel textile sheets or composites thin pultruded laminae with cracks arrestors function, to reduce the vulnerability of masonry structures against in-plane and out-of-plane actions. In this paper, a three-dimensional numerical model is developed to evaluate the efficiency of reinforcing steel bars facing crack propagation phenomenon under increasing compressive loads.

Experimental and numerical results show that the predominant failure mode of FRP strengthened masonry structures is the interfacial debonding, which occurs prior to reaching the compressive strength of the substrate and/or the tensile strength of the FRP composite. In this paper, a three-dimensional numerical model is developed to simulate the experimental response of direct shear test of FRP-masonry joints and. A damage model is adopted for both mortar and bricks characterized by a different behavior in tension and compression.

In this paper, a literature review on diagonal compression tests conducted on masonry elements reinforced by means of structural repointing technique is presented. This strengthening technique usually consists of placing in the mortar bed joints, high-tensile strength materials in the form of rods, strips, laminates or bars to increase the ductility and the overall mechanical performance of the structure. Being the reinforcing materials completely hidden after application, this system is particularly suitable for fair-faced masonry structures and historic buildings. In this paper, the main advantages and limits achieved by using reinforced repointing technique as shear strengthening system are investigated.

In this study the results of an experimental campaign that involves masonry specimens subjected to a purposely designed splitting test are presented. The specimens are reinforced in the mortar joints by means of carbon bundles impregnated with a water based resin. Unreinforced specimens are also tested for comparison purposes. Some specimens are characterized by an initial crack obtained artificially by cutting the bricks to highlight the crack arrestor function of the carbon bundles. Results show that the failure mechanism from brittle becomes ductile and a load bearing capacity increment is registered in reinforced specimens.