Confinement of masonry columns with Steel Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (S-FRCM) composites

The rehabilitation of existing masonry elements through jacketing of columns using composite materials is becoming a remarkable technique in several applications that aim to increase the strength of existing masonry building. An experimental campaign was conducted with Steel- and -Basalt Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) systems, in order to test new products that might increase the advantages in terms of good adhesion to masonry substrate, breathability of the system, efficiency in aggressive environments, ease of installation and reversibility, which are essential for the preservation of historical buildings. The mean objective of this experimental study was to investigate the state of the improvement of square masonry columns, built in alternate stretcher and header bond configuration using as material confinement Steel- and-Basalt FRCM system, subjected to axial compression. Moreover, the effectiveness and influence of the confinement in terms of load-bearing capacity and strain distribution with respect to unconfined prisms was carried out. An optical technique, known as Digital Image Correlation (DIC), was employed to understand the interaction between the unit masonry components.