Mario Fagone

Lower Bound Limit Analysis of Masonry Arches with CFRP Reinforcements: A Numerical Method

This paper presents a numerical method to predict the ultimate load of masonry arches strengthened with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips bonded to the intrados. The voussoirs of the arch and the CFRP strip, ideally divided into the same number of parts as the voussoirs, are modeled as rigid blocks. A finite set of stress resultants represents the stress state acting on interfaces of the rigid blocks. The local failure modes at the block interfaces are defined according to experimental evidence. The model is developed within an associated framework in such a way that the normality rule is satisfied: the upper- and lower-bound theorems of classical limit analysis apply. The ultimate load is predicted by a lower bound approach. The feasible domain is defined by the equilibrium equations and by the linear constraints imposed on the stress resultants. All the relations defining the model are linear, so that a linear programming problem is imposed. The predictions of the numerical model compare well with experimental results.

The Effects of Mortar Joints on the Efficiency of Anchored CFRP Sheets Reinforcements of Brick-Masonry

The first results of an experimental campaign are reported that evaluates the efficiency of anchored CFRP reinforcements on brick masonry. Near End Supported Single Shear Tests were carried out on masonry pillars made according two different patterns, in order to detect the influence of both bed and perpend joints. The results are compared with results obtained from previous experimental campaign in which CFRP reinforcements were applied on “only brick” surfaces.

The Groin Vaults of St. John Hospital in Jerusalem: An Experimental Analysis on a Scale Model

ABSTRACT The St. John Hospital is part of a larger complex of buildings known as the Hospitallers Quarter, located south of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. At present, the hospital looks like an irregular volume both in height and in plan; it is covered by ten groin vaults resting on very stocky pillars. Each vault is formed by intersecting double curvature surfaces. In order to verify the effectiveness of continuous carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheets reinforcement, bonded at the extrados of vaults, laboratory tests were carried out on a 1:5 scale model, built with materials and construction techniques similar to those of the real building. Experimental tests were performed on the unstrengthened and strengthened vault. The experimental results shown that the strengthening system is able to increase the collapse load of the vault, without substantial variation of the initial stiffness.

An Experimental Analysis of the Mechanical Behaviour of Anchored Cfrp-to-Masonry Reinforcements Loaded by Out-of-Plane Actions

Carbon Fibers Reinforced Composite (CFRP) materials are widely used for structural rehabilitation and retrofitting of both masonry and concrete structures. Recent studies published in the literature are devoted to the analysis of novel methods to increase CFRP-to-substrate bond capacity. Among these, spike anchors demonstrated to be able to effectively increase both strength and ductility of CFRP reinforcement sheets. Since most of the literature in this field refers to CFRP-to-masonry reinforcements loaded by in plane actions, the experimental research described in this paper is devoted to the analysis of the effectiveness of spike anchors in CFRP reinforcements bonded to masonry structural elements loaded by out-of-plane actions.

Test Methods for the Determination of Interlayer Properties in Laminated Glass

AbstractCurrent standards introduce different test methods to be used for the determination of the dynamic properties of polymers. Some of these have been applied in the last years for the evaluati...