ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on a compatible strengthening technique for masonry arches and vaults consisting in the application, at the extrados, of reinforcement made of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) meshes embedded in a thin lime mortar coating. A technique to strengthen existing masonry vaults consisting in the application at the extrados of a GFRP mesh reinforced mortar coating. The mechanical characteristics of the masonry, the GFRP mesh and the reinforced mortar coating are assessed through experimental tests. GFRP mesh is formed with long fibers of glass that are coated with a thermo-hardening resin; the composite wires are weaved to form the mesh by twisting the resin impregnated transversal fibers across the longitudinal wires. The GFRP twisted wires were modeled by means of truss elements; the presence of the parallel wires in the longitudinal direction of the vaults was neglected.
