Confinement Effectiveness in Eccentrically Loaded Masonry Columns Strengthened by Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) Jackets

Abstract

Abstract.The paper is devoted to the analysis of the effectiveness of the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (C-FRCM) as confinement system of the masonry and the characterization of the structural response of masonry column confined by C-FRCM jackets, accounting for all geometrical and mechanical involved parameters. At this aim, tests on confined masonry column under eccentric axial load were carried out. Five masonry column having an overall length of650 mm, with rectangular cross-section,250 x250 mm, were eccentrically loaded until collapse; two specimens were un-confined and used as control specimens, two specimens were confined with one layer of C-FRCM and one specimen was confined with two layers of C-FRCM. The eccentricity values considered weree/H=0ande/H=0.20, being H the height of the section. Failure modes and load-strain diagrams were considered to analyze test results and to evaluate the effectiveness of the confinement both in terms of strength and ductility.