Experiments to determine the out-of-plane behavior of CFRP and ductile adhesive reinforced clay brick masonry walls

The reinforcement systems with ductile adhesive have shown to remarkably increase the out-of plane flexural capacity of unreinforced masonry (URM). Extensive laboratory scale out-of-plane (OOP) experiments have been conducted with construction material that is representative for the masonry found in Groningen. The research purpose was to gain more understanding on the out of plane behaviour of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and ductile adhesive reinforced masonry. In the experimental testing program three different reinforcement configurations have been involved. The first configuration consisted of a CFRP strip placed in the heart of the masonry wallettes with a visco-elastic epoxy. The second configuration had an additional surface treatment based on a polymer. The third configuration was similar to the second one, however with a cement based surface treatment with imbedded CFRP net. The results of the experimental tests confirmed the strong increase in both the moment- and flexural capacity and supported the previously stated significant gain in ductility.