Failure characteristics of FRP-strengthened masonry walls under out-of-plane loads

The failure behavior of masonry walls strengthened with composite materials and subjected to out-of-plane loading up to failure is analytically and experimentally investigated. Emphasis is placed on realistically supported strengthened walls under conditions that restrict the elongation and allow the development of the arching action. A combined experimental–theoretical characterization of the behavior of the strengthened wall throughout the entire loading process and a quantification of their failure criteria are presented. The experimental phase includes loading to failure of a full-scale masonry wall strengthened with composite strips and a full-scale control specimen. A series of tests for the characterization of the mechanical properties of the materials and interfaces involved is also reported. In the theoretical phase, an enhanced analytical model that accounts for the behavior of the various materials, interfaces, and components under the entire spectrum of load levels is presented. The results and the theoretical–experimental comparison provide insight into the failure behavior of the strengthened wall and throw light on some of its unique failure mechanisms.