Numerical modelling of compressive behaviour of brick masonry reinforced by the bed joints reinforcement technique

Massive masonry structures can be subjected to critical compressive conditions due to high dead loads. Under those loads, a typical damaging phenomenon, characterized by diffused thin vertical cracks, develops. The evolution of this phenomenon can be suitably counteracted by the application of the bed joints reinforcement technique, which consists in embedding reinforcing bars within the mortar bed joints of brick masonry. The technique aims at the reduction and stabilization of the horizontal deformation. The University of Padova, in collaboration with the Politecnico of Milano, performed several experimental campaigns aimed at the characterization of the technique and at the validation of its applicability on historical masonry buildings. Although applications in case studies have been performed with steel reinforcements, the use of CFRP thin strips seams to be very promising; nevertheless experimental validations to calibrate modelling are still in need. In the paper, the main experimental results of brick masonry panels symmetrically strengthened with thin CFRP strips are given. Furthermore, the relevant numerical results of detailed finite element models, resorting on a micro modelling strategy and resembling different reinforcement patterns and comparing three bars, are presented.