Effect of FRP Mesh Rebar on the Shear Strength of Masonry

The main aim this research was the experimental analysis of the structural shear behaviour of masonry panels reinforced with CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced polymer) rebar. It compared the mechanical strength and the deformability behaviour of plain masonry panels using similar samples reinforced first with traditional steel welded wire mesh, and then with CFRP mesh rebar. The test samples were subjected to diagonal compression tests and the structural behaviour of the panels was analysed not only up to the first crack but until final collapse. The test results were compared with some other experimental results recently carried out by other authors using masonry panels reinforced with FRP reinforcement (CFRP lamina or sheet) fixed directly onto the masonry with resin. Finally, the research highlighted the re-calibration of the analytical model already proposed in the literature for the evaluation of the structural design shear strenght in the presence of FRP reinforcement.