Strengthening strategies for unreinforced stone masonry walls using FRP and CFM composites

Abstract Recent earthquakes have highlighted the vulnerability of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls particularly those constructed with stone to lateral loads, underscoring the need for effective strengthening against shear failure. In this context, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and carbon fiber mes...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Tulin Celik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13747-0
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849342335209439232
author Tulin Celik
author_facet Tulin Celik
author_sort Tulin Celik
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Recent earthquakes have highlighted the vulnerability of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls particularly those constructed with stone to lateral loads, underscoring the need for effective strengthening against shear failure. In this context, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and carbon fiber mesh (CFM) have been explored as innovative alternatives to traditional reinforcement techniques. This study investigated unreinforced stone masonry walls, a common type of URM, strengthened using FRP and CFM materials in different configurations, focusing on the walls’ in-plane shear behavior under diagonal compression testing. A reference specimen, labeled URM-1, was constructed without reinforcement. FRP materials were applied to two specimens either horizontally or diagonally on both wall surfaces. Similarly, two specimens were strengthened on both surfaces using CFM, applied with either epoxy or repair mortar. Based on experimental and analytical results, the URM-5 specimen (CFM with epoxy) was identified as the most effective strengthening method. It significantly increased maximum load capacity, shear stress, ductility, and elastic stiffness. Additionally, the URM-5 specimen reduced wall fragility and maintained structural integrity during fracture.
format Article
id doaj-art-ea84cff5e6af487b8336a3622722c00d
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-ea84cff5e6af487b8336a3622722c00d2025-08-20T03:43:26ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-13747-0Strengthening strategies for unreinforced stone masonry walls using FRP and CFM compositesTulin Celik0Department of Civil Engineering, Aksaray UniversityAbstract Recent earthquakes have highlighted the vulnerability of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls particularly those constructed with stone to lateral loads, underscoring the need for effective strengthening against shear failure. In this context, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and carbon fiber mesh (CFM) have been explored as innovative alternatives to traditional reinforcement techniques. This study investigated unreinforced stone masonry walls, a common type of URM, strengthened using FRP and CFM materials in different configurations, focusing on the walls’ in-plane shear behavior under diagonal compression testing. A reference specimen, labeled URM-1, was constructed without reinforcement. FRP materials were applied to two specimens either horizontally or diagonally on both wall surfaces. Similarly, two specimens were strengthened on both surfaces using CFM, applied with either epoxy or repair mortar. Based on experimental and analytical results, the URM-5 specimen (CFM with epoxy) was identified as the most effective strengthening method. It significantly increased maximum load capacity, shear stress, ductility, and elastic stiffness. Additionally, the URM-5 specimen reduced wall fragility and maintained structural integrity during fracture.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13747-0In-plane shear behaviorRepair and strengtheningMasonry wallFiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)Carbon fiber mesh (CFM)
spellingShingle Tulin Celik
Strengthening strategies for unreinforced stone masonry walls using FRP and CFM composites
Scientific Reports
In-plane shear behavior
Repair and strengthening
Masonry wall
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)
Carbon fiber mesh (CFM)
title Strengthening strategies for unreinforced stone masonry walls using FRP and CFM composites
title_full Strengthening strategies for unreinforced stone masonry walls using FRP and CFM composites
title_fullStr Strengthening strategies for unreinforced stone masonry walls using FRP and CFM composites
title_full_unstemmed Strengthening strategies for unreinforced stone masonry walls using FRP and CFM composites
title_short Strengthening strategies for unreinforced stone masonry walls using FRP and CFM composites
title_sort strengthening strategies for unreinforced stone masonry walls using frp and cfm composites
topic In-plane shear behavior
Repair and strengthening
Masonry wall
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)
Carbon fiber mesh (CFM)
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13747-0
work_keys_str_mv AT tulincelik strengtheningstrategiesforunreinforcedstonemasonrywallsusingfrpandcfmcomposites