Confinement of Masonry Columns with Steel and Basalt FRCM Composites

The rehabilitation of existing masonry elements by means of jacketing of columns using composite materials is becoming a remarkable technique in several applications that aim to increase the strength of existing masonry buildings. Fiber reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites are a newly developed strengthening system that consist of high-strength fibers embedded in a cementitious grout and externally bonded to the substrate. High resistance to fire and high temperatures, ease of handling during application, and vapor permeability with the substrate are some of the characteristics that make FRCMs a promising alternative to traditional organic composites such as fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. This work presents the results of an experimental study carried out to understand the behavior of masonry columns with a square cross-section confined by steel and basalt fiber sheets embedded in a mortar matrix subjected to monotonic concentric compressive load. The effectiveness of the confinement is studied in terms of load-bearing capacity with respect to unconfined columns. The effect of corner radius for columns confined with basalt fibers is investigated