Strengthening of Infill Masonry Walls with FRP Materials |
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Authors: | Dillon S. Lunn Sami H. Rizkalla |
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Affiliation: | 1Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State Univ., 2414 Campus Shore Dr., Campus Box 7533, Raleigh, NC 27695 (corresponding author). E-mail: dslunn@ncsu.edu 2Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State Univ., 2414 Campus Shore Dr., Campus Box 7533, Raleigh, NC 27695. E-mail: sami_rizkalla@ncsu.edu
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Abstract: | This paper evaluates the effectiveness of different externally bonded glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) systems for increasing the out-of-plane resistance of infill masonry walls to loading. The research included a comprehensive experimental program comprising 14 full-scale specimens, including four unstrengthened (control) specimens and 10 strengthened specimens. To simulate the boundary conditions of infill walls, all specimens consisted of a reinforced concrete (RC) frame, simulating the supporting RC elements of a building superstructure, which was infilled with solid concrete brick masonry. The specimens were loaded out-of-plane using uniformly distributed pressure to simulate the differential (suction) pressure induced by a tornado. Parameters investigated in the experimental program included aspect ratio, FRP coverage ratio, number of masonry wythes, and type of FRP anchorage. Test results indicated that the type of FRP anchorage had a significant effect on the failure mode. Research findings concluded that GFRP strengthening of infill masonry walls is effective in increasing the out-of-plane load-carrying capacity when proper anchorage of the FRP laminate is provided. |
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Keywords: | Fiber reinforced polymer Walls Masonry Rehabilitation Composite materials Anchorages Lateral pressure |
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