Bond of CFRP/GFRP strips in the strengthening of walls

In recent years, the research about strengthening techniques designed to prevent collapse and severe damages under seismic actions in masonry structures using composite materials increased considerably. Although the experimental and theoretical results are numerous, the central aspect of delamination of the strengthening with external bonded (EB) FRP strips on masonry surface needs a deep analysis. Experimental results may assess the availability of technique for rehabilitation of damaged masonry buildings subjected to seismic action. This paper deals with the experimental results on the bond of carbon-FRP and glass-FRP strips considering pull-out tests and theoretical model useful to define the shear-slip laws. Further, the behaviour of brickwork wall models strengthened with CFRP/GFRP strips subjected to combined compression shear loading is analysed. The results are discussed, focusing the attention on the comparison of fracture energy developed during the different tests.