Numerical Approaches for the Study of the Bond Behavior of FRP/FRCM Strengthening Systems Externally Applied to Curved Masonry Structures

This document presents an overview of the studies recently performed by the Authors regarding the numerical simulation of the bond behavior of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) and Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) strengthening systems in case of applications to curved masonry structures. In the paper are indeed presented and compared among them the different numerical approaches carried out by the Authors and validated with respect to experimental tests. The numerical approaches concern both sophisticated and simplified Finite Element models and, moreover, analytical procedures. The comparison among them allows for underlining important issues to account for numerically analyzing the complex phenomena characterizing the interaction between FRP/FRCM strengthening systems and masonry substrate in case of curved structures. In particular, it is emphasized the influence of stresses acting normal to the substrate at the interface between strengthening and masonry in case of FRP, and between strengthening and matrix in case of FRCM, on the bond mechanism.