On the effectiveness of CFRP reinforcement of masonry panels loaded by out-of-plane actions

The use of composite materials, in particular Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP), as reinforcement of masonry structures is more and more widespread in the structural rehabilitation and retrofitting of existing buildings. Several research findings reported in the literature demonstrated that externally bonded CFRP sheets can effectively increase the mechanical performance of masonry walls subjected to both in-plane and out-of-plane actions. Concerning the latter, most research activities refer to monotonic actions. Seeing the lack in the literature, the experimental program described in this paper is aimed to the analysis of the effects of load cycles in the out-of-plane behavior of reinforced masonry walls.