Strengthening Effectiveness of Ancient Masonry Bridges

A study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of two new strengthening techniques for ancient masonry bridges is herein presented. In particular the spandrel walls are subjected to both in-plane and out-of- plane actions: the former mainly due to shear and the latter due to the filling thrust or earthquake excitation. The proposed techniques concern the application on the masonry surface of a GFRP reinforced lime and cement mortar coating or a reinforced repointing with a net of stainless strands. Some experimental diagonal compression tests evidenced the significant effectiveness of the first technique to shear. A numerical simula-tion of the experimental tests allowed determining the mechanical parameters to be used in the material model. A second numerical study was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of both strengthening techniques for out-of-plane actions (flexure). The results obtained in the study show good performances of the strengthening techniques both for in-plane and out-of-plane actions of two types of masonry walls: rubble stone and solid brick.