Experimental Analysis of Dynamic Effects of FRP Reinforced Masonry Vaults

Abstract

An increasing interest in the preservation of historic structures has produced a need for new methods for reinforcing curved masonry structures, such as arches and vaults. These structures are generally very ancient, have geometries and materials which are poorly defined and have been exposed to long-term historical movements and actions. Consequently, they are often in need of repair or reinforcement. This article presents the results of an experimental study carried out in the laboratory and during on-site testing to investigate the behaviour of brick masonry vaults under dynamic loading strengthened with FRPs (Fiber Reinforced Polymers). For the laboratory tests, the brick vaults were built with solid sanded clay bricks and weak mortar and were tested under dynamic loading. The experimental tests were designed to facilitate analysis of the dynamic behaviour of undamaged, damaged and reinforced vaulted structures. On-site tests were carried out on an earthquake-damaged thin brick vault of an 18th century aristocratic residence in the city of L’Aquila, Italy. The provision of FRP reinforcement is shown to re-establish elastic behavior previously compromised by time induced damage in the vaults.

Ancient masonry arches and vaults strengthened with TRM, SRG and FRP composites: Experimental evaluation

“…In the last decade many experimental and numerical studies were performed on masonry arches reinforced with FRP materials. Several studies [3]- [6], demonstrated the efficiency of this reinforcement technique, both in terms of the maximum load applied and of displacement at collapse. In some cases the application of a continuous FRP textile prevented the formation of the typical hinge-based failure mode and the collapse was caused by debonding of the FRP.…”

Study on the Restoration of a Masonry Arch Viaduct: Numerical Analysis and Lab Tests

“…Traditional techniques of strengthening (steel bars, stirrups, steel profiles, injecting cementitious mortar, reinforced concrete hoods, and introducing ties at the arch impost) are being abandoned due to the aesthetic incompatibility and extra self-weight and rigidity that these techniques could add to the structure [36]. Recently, composite materials have been used instead of traditional techniques, because they are considered innovative (carbon fiber reinforced polymer, glass reinforced polymer, steel rod, steel-reinforced grout, basalt textile-reinforced mortar, or other fiber materials) [37][38][39][40][41][42]. An interesting way of reinforcing a masonry arch railway bridge was recently presented [43].…”

Stochastic Vulnerability Assessment of Masonry Structures: Concepts, Modeling and Restoration Aspects

“…Additionally, the probabilistic nature of earthquakes, directly connected and influenced by a large number of parameters, must be taken into account. Due to the high uncertainty of the parameters influencing the behavior of masonry structures, the assessment of their vulnerability cannot be conducted in terms of a deterministic approach [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. To the contrary, a probabilistic approach would be more appropriate, in order to be applied in cases where the response of the structure is evaluated and compared with limit states, such as specific limit values of response directly interlinked with structural damages.…”