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Materials (Basel). 2015 Nov 27;8(12):8059-8071. doi: 10.3390/ma8125445.

Experimental Analysis of Dynamic Effects of FRP Reinforced Masonry Vaults.

Materials (Basel, Switzerland)

Marco Corradi, Antonio Borri, Giulio Castori, Kathryn Coventry

Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Northumbria University, Wynne-Jones Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK. [email protected].
  2. Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, 92 Via Duranti, Perugia 06125, Italy. [email protected].
  3. Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, 92 Via Duranti, Perugia 06125, Italy. [email protected].
  4. Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Northumbria University, Wynne-Jones Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK. [email protected].

PMID: 28793697 PMCID: PMC5458840 DOI: 10.3390/ma8125445

Abstract

An increasing interest in the preservation of historic structures has produced a need for new methods for reinforcing curved masonry structures, such as arches and vaults. These structures are generally very ancient, have geometries and materials which are poorly defined and have been exposed to long-term historical movements and actions. Consequently, they are often in need of repair or reinforcement. This article presents the results of an experimental study carried out in the laboratory and during on-site testing to investigate the behaviour of brick masonry vaults under dynamic loading strengthened with FRPs (Fiber Reinforced Polymers). For the laboratory tests, the brick vaults were built with solid sanded clay bricks and weak mortar and were tested under dynamic loading. The experimental tests were designed to facilitate analysis of the dynamic behaviour of undamaged, damaged and reinforced vaulted structures. On-site tests were carried out on an earthquake-damaged thin brick vault of an 18th century aristocratic residence in the city of L'Aquila, Italy. The provision of FRP reinforcement is shown to re-establish elastic behavior previously compromised by time induced damage in the vaults.

Keywords: brickwork masonry; composite materials; mechanical testing; vibration

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