Destructive In Situ Tests on Masonry Arches Strengthened with FRCM Composite Materials

In the last few decades, fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been widely employed in several strengthening and rehabilitation applications of existing masonry buildings. Fiber reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites are a newly-developed strengthening technique comprised of high strength fibers embedded in a cementitious matrix. FRCMs usually offer several advantages such as the high resistance to fire and high temperatures or vapor permeability with masonry substrate, therefore they appear to be a promising alternative to traditional FRP strengthening systems. In this experimental work, the results of destructive in situ tests performed on existing masonry arches strengthened with FRCM composites are reported. FRCM strips consist of a balanced bi-axial mesh made of basalt fibers embedded in a cementitious grout. Three different configurations of the strengthening system have been considered. Load responses and failure modes are presented.