GFRP to strengthen masonry walls: Numerical analysis and evaluation of the different mechanical parameters role

A recently proposed strengthening technique for masonry buildings is based on the use of a GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers) mesh, embedded in a mortar coating on both wall sides. The effectiveness of this technique in increasing the masonry wall resistance and the plastic deformation capacity has already been experimentally tested. In this study a finite element model was developed to predict the in-plane behaviour of masonry walls strengthened in this way. Numerical results are compared with diagonal compression tests data on unreinforced (URM) and reinforced masonry (RM) specimens, showing a good agreement. An extensive parametric study was developed to assess the actual contribute of each specimen component characteristic on the general behaviour of the masonry wall (stiffness, strength and ductility of the specimen).