Study on the effectiveness of a CRM system: in-plane and out-of-plane cyclic tests on masonry piers

The results of a broad experimental campaign on full scale masonry samples are presented in the paper, to evidence the effectiveness of a CRM (Composite Reinforced Mortar) strengthening System. In particular, shear-compression tests were carried out on masonry samples strengthened with the application of the CRM System on one or both faces of the wall, consisting of a mortar coating reinforced with a preformed GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) mesh. In the former case, to connect wall leaves, artificial diatones were used; in the latter case, these diatones and couples of GFRP L-shape connectors were used to confine the masonry wall. The three-point bending test was also carried out on one-side reinforced masonry specimen, in which also artificial diatones were used. The sample was arranged vertically and loaded cyclically according to a three-point bending scheme. The results of all reinforced specimen tests were compared with those of the equivalent unreinforced ones.