Confinement of brick masonry columns with CFRP materials

For many years confinement has been considered an effective method for strengthening reinforced concrete and masonry elements. This study aims to provide a basic understanding of the behavior of solid brick masonry columns confined by Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP). Compression tests were carried out on 24 clay solid brick columns in order to determine the effects of FRP reinforcement systems. Two widely diffused types of masonry columns of differing square cross-sections were tested in compression (square and octagonal cross-sections). Carbon mono-directional FRP sheets were used for reinforcement in order to obtain the confinement effect of wrapped columns. An epoxy-resin-based adhesive was used for bonding the FRP material. The results, compared with those for un-reinforced columns, indicate strong increases in ultimate load, stiffness and ductility.