Development of impact loading equipment for testing of FRP strips as reinforcement of masonry bricks

Abstract

The preservation of a cultural heritage has been, in nowadays, one important research topic. Some new techniques and materials have been studied. The use of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is one of them. The static material properties of these materials when used in brick masonry are regularly studied. The dynamic studies are, however, almost non-existent. The development of a device capable to test dynamically the specimens already used in static tests is presented in this paper. It is described the construction of a drop weight tower to test FRP strips glued to brick masonry.