Performance of masonry arches strengthened with CFRP sandwich

Abstract EN

Upgrading and strengthening of structural and architectural arches for functionality purpose as well as for conversation of cultural heritage are of great concern.

In the current research, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) was used to raise the structural integrity of masonry arches.

The strengthening efficiency and structural performance of arches having semi-circle and quarter circle shapes covering the same opening span were studied.

Strengthening by fitting CFRP sheets in a Sandwich form was investigated.

At the beginning, CFRP sheets alone were directly applied along the intrados and extrados surfaces of the arches.

Secondly, the same technique was adopted but after adding a thin layer of plain concrete at the extrados surface prior to the application of the external layer of CFRP.

Six Arches with different strengthening configurations were prepared.

Comprehensive static and dynamic evaluations were conducted.

The efficiency of strengthened arches with semi-circle shape was found, in general, better than arches of quarter circle shape.

CFRP works on prevention of the formation of hinges in either the extrados or intrados surfaces of the arches, and consequently improving the performance of arches during failure.

The load carrying capacity was also enhanced significantly.

The addition of thin plain concrete layer was found significant in distributing the applied load and preventing the conventional slippage failure mode at interface between mortar and bricks.

The obtained dynamic modal parameters of the examined arches due to excitation with light impact hummer at the crest of strengthened arches showed enhancement in their dynamic performance as well