Shear behaviour of reinforced masonry: efficacy of FRP versus traditional technique

The aim of this experimental work is to analyse and compare the shear resistance decay after long-term and environmental actions on brickworks structures reinforced by innova-tive (FRP) and traditional technique (strengthening mortar). Laboratory tests were carried out at the Non-Destructive Testing Laboratory of the Politecnico of Turin: ad hoc brickwork speci-mens were manufactured and reinforced by FRP and strengthening mortar (for jacketing walls). Test pieces were subjected both to static and to cyclic loading tests and to freezing-thawing thermo-hygrometric tests, in order to study durability and efficacy of strengthening techniques, and express a judgement on their long term compatibility with historical masonry, thereby avoiding the errors associated with materials that are not mechanically compatible.