Strengthening historical monuments with FRP: a design criteria review

The aim of this paper is to discuss certain aspects concerning applications of FRP materials in strengthening historical masonry buildings. The discussion covers the objectives of the reinforcement and the design criteria. As FRP materials can be used in a number of ways for the structural strengthening of masonry buildings, it is impossible to consider all possible cases here; this paper discusses a few recurrent applications such as for strengthening masonry arches or barrel and cross vaults, the flexural and shear strengthening of panels, and the belting of buildings.