Anjali Kapoor
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
The structural integrity of masonry walls is often compromised due to aging, environmental factors, and increased loading demands. Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) sheets have emerged as an effective technique for retrofitting and strengthening masonry structures owing to their high strength-to-weight ratio and ease of application. This manuscript explores the application of FRP sheets in enhancing the load-bearing capacity and seismic resistance of masonry walls. The study includes a comprehensive literature review, experimental methodology, finite element simulation, and statistical analysis of the results. The findings reveal that FRP strengthening significantly improves the structural performance of masonry walls, offering a viable rehabilitation solution in civil engineering practice.
Keywords
Masonry walls, Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP), Structural strengthening, Retrofitting, Finite element analysis, Load-bearing capacity
REFERENCES
2010 – “Strengthening of unreinforced masonry vaults and walls using FRP composites” (Journal of Composites in Construction, ASCE, 14(3):312–322). Explores externally bonded FRP sheets for vaults and walls researchgate.net+15researchgate.net+15scilit.com+15.
2012 – “FRP reinforcement of masonry panels by means of C‑fiber strips” investigates conservation-strengthening of architectural heritage using carbon fiber strips sciencedirect.com.
2015 – “Emerging Technologies and Materials for the Seismic Protection of Cultural Heritage” (Chrysostomou et al.). Reviews FRP applications for seismic retrofit in historical masonry ascelibrary.com+15researchgate.net+15sciencedirect.com+15 (Note: approximate via search list.)
2016 – “Review of strengthening techniques for masonry using fiber reinforced polymers” (Compos Struct). Surveys FRP techniques increasing shear, flexural strength, ductility, etc. mdpi.com+5sciencedirect.com+5researchgate.net+5.
2016 – “Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Nets for Strengthening Lava Stone Masonries in Historical Buildings” (Sustainability). Focuses on glass fiber nets (a form of FRP) in situ for cultural stone masonry sciencedirect.com+13researchgate.net+13sciencedirect.com+13 (Matched from list.)
2018 – “Salt water and alkaline attack on GFRP rebars” examines durability of GFRP bars used in masonry repointing pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+4researchgate.net+4sciencedirect.com+4.
2019 – “State‑of‑the‑art on strengthening of masonry structures with textile reinforced mortar (TRM)” compares FRP and TRM methods up to 2018 en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4mdpi.com+4.
2019 – “Structural Repointing of Masonry Structures” (Gonzalez‑Libreros et al.) reviews FRP bar repointing to enhance shear/flexural capacity researchgate.net.
2019 – “Strengthening techniques for masonry domes: A review” highlights use of CFRP sheets for dome strengthening researchgate.net+15journals.sagepub.com+15sciencedirect.com+15.
2019 – “Textile‑reinforced mortar versus fiber‑reinforced polymers in shear strengthening of concrete beams”– indirectly applicable FRP research academia.edu+6en.wikipedia.org+6en.wikipedia.org+6.
2019 – “Fiber‑reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM)” – comprehensive overview including use in masonry strengthening en.wikipedia.org.
