In-plane loaded CFRP reinforced masonry walls: mechanical characteristics by homogenisation procedures

A model for CFRP reinforced masonries - in the case of in-plane actions under service loads - is here developed by means of homogenisation procedures. As a first step to study the sensitivity of masonry behaviour to several parameters, in a future perspective to develop a non-linear analysis - that is more in agree with the true behaviour of the brickwork - the linear homogenisation technique is employed. Two homogenisation procedures are proposed: an analytical multi-step approach and a numerical single-step one. These models allow to know point to point the stress and strain fields, showing a predictive character, particularly useful in order to prevent delamination phenomena. An exhaustive analysis of the hypotheses adopted for the two models is presented, and the effect of these assumptions is taken into account when evaluating the results. A critical comparison between the two techniques presented and a complete 3D discrete model is reported for the meaningful case of a diagonally reinforced shear wall. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.