Experimental Research of Damaged Clay Solid-Brick Masonry Strengthened with GFRP Wrapping

Abstract

Structural renovation and reconstruction by mesh wrapping become more popular for masonry structures. A significant part of industrial and historical masonry buildings in the local region has damages that need to be repaired in the scope of the national renovation program. The article describes the results of the experimental research of masonry middle-scale columns which were strengthened by GFRP wrapping after masonry damaging under axial compression loading. Preliminary damaged by axial loading clay solid-brick models were jacketed in an unloaded mode in order for the test program. The purpose of this exploration is to continue the investigation started earlier and further “hollow vs solid” masonry behavior comparison. The “f-ε” diagrams were analyzed for strengthened and control specimens. Compressive strength tests for masonry brick and mortar were also executed in this study. Obtained results show increasing in bearing capacity and ductility for confined columns. The failure mode for wrapped samples was explored and described. The paper gives some conclusions due to experimental results and directions for further research.