EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF SMALL CLAY BRICK CYLINDERS CONFINED BY BFRP GRID UNDER AXIAL COMPRESSION

Many investigations have shown that fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites can be effectively used to induce a passive confinement action on masonry columns and improve their axial capacity and ductility. This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the compressive behaviour of clay brick masonry cylinders externally wrapped with basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) grids. The circular section shape was chosen to assess the pure confinement effect on the masonry material. Fourteen clay brick masonry cylinders, cored from two different masonry assembly types, were confined with one or two layers of BFRP grids. The two assemblies were used to investigate the effect of vertical joints on the response of the cylinders. The cylinders were tested under uniaxial compression load. The test results showed a strength increase between 30% and 38% for cylinders wrapped with one layer and between 69% and 71% for those wrapped with two layers of BFRP grids.