Modelling unreinforced, TRM-strengthened and FRP-strengthened brick masonry walls subjected to eccentric compressive load

The mixed bending/buckling collapse mode of brick masonry walls might be prevented by installing strengthening systems which provide tensile strength. Among others, the Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) and Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) laminates are the most common solutions. Their structural response under second order bending effects is studied by means of implementing a numerical simulation adaptable for unreinforced and strengthened walls. The proposed model is based on a bidimensional simplification and the use of simplified micromodelling techniques. The use of contact elements has proved to be essential at simulating this type of structures. The obtained results are compared with the experimental evidences on 44 real-scale tests, concluding that the implemented numerical model is accurate at predicting the load-bearing capacity of masonry walls subjected to eccentric compressive loads.Peer Reviewe