Strengthening of brick masonry arches with externally bonded steel reinforced composites

The objective of this study is to investigate the efficiency of an innovative technique for strengthening masonry arches, based on the use of high strength steel cords embedded in either an epoxy steel reinforced polymer or mortar matrix steel reinforced grout. Ten prototypes of brickwork arches strengthened by composite laminates were tested under a monotonic vertical load applied at the quarter-span. Load tests were performed to compare the behavior up to collapse of strengthened masonry arches; the influence of the types of reinforcement steel and carbon fibers and matrices epoxy and cementitious, as well as location of the strengthening layer intrados, extrados, and both and the presence of anchorage systems has been investigated. The experimental results highlight the enhanced strength of the arches reinforced with steel cords, as well as the role of the mechanical anchoring with regard to the resulting final strength.