Strengthening of Masonry Walls Using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Materials

Abstract

The paper presents the behavior of masonry walls built up using ceramic blocks with hollows tested in bear state and then strengthened using FRP materials. A number of two masonry walls are subjected to cyclic in-plane horizontal loads and constant vertical loads, in order to determine the efficiency of the strengthening solutions compared with the shear resistance of the walls in bear state. Also, the experimental program is useful to observe the failure modes of the strengthened walls and also to determine if such strengthening solutions is earthquake-resistant.