Composite mechanics-based design approach for FRP-strengthened walls

Abstract

This study deals with development of a composite mechanics-based design approach for flexural strengthening of masonry walls using different layers of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) strips externally bonded and/or near surface mounted (NSM) FRP bars. To verify the developed design approach, experimental study was also conducted on three groups of walls. Six burnt clay brick masonry walls of size 780 × 480 × 230 mm were fabricated. Out of six, four masonry walls are strengthened with combination of longitudinal carbon fiber-reinforced polymer strips and horizontal NSM bars. The flexural responses of these masonry walls were predicted using three-point static loading. To evaluate the effect of using horizontal NSM FRP bars in conjunction with the longitudinal FRP strips on the response of the strengthened wall, an analytical approach using classical lamination theory has been presented. The developed analytical approach shows good agreements with the experimental results in terms of load carrying capacity and mid-span deflection. This analytical approach will help in setting up the design procedure to evaluate the response of a wall that is strengthened with FRP bars/strips provided in multiple layers. A design example has also been provided for easy understanding of the design approach.