FRCM Composites for Strengthening of Brick Masonry Arches

This paper examines the structural behavior of masonry arches strengthened at the intrados with fabric reinforced cementitions matrix (FRCM) composites. Textiles made of poliparafenilenbenzobisoxazole (PBO) and carbon fibers are considered. The experimental results are compared with those obtained on un-strengthened arches and arches strengthened with a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (C-FRP) composite. The tested arches are analyzed with the approach of the limit analysis of the collapse mechanisms.