Failure load of FRP strengthened masonry walls: experimental results and numerical models.

Aim of the present work is the evaluation of the ultimate load bearing capacity of masonry panels reinforced with FRP strips. The investigation is developed performing both experimental and numerical studies. In particular, several panels subjected to different loading conditions are tested in the Tests Laboratory of the University of Florence (Italy). Then, numerical models based on combined homogenization and limit analysis techniques are proposed. The results obtained by numerical simulations are compared with experimental data. The good agreement obtained shows that the proposed numerical model can be applied for the evaluation of the ultimate load bearing capacity of reinforced masonry walls.