FEM investigation of the effect of structural bonding patterns on masonry walls strengthened by FRP

Abstract Masonry, an age-old and extensively employed construction material across the globe, possesses inherent brittleness that renders it vulnerable to seismic pressures. To bolster the structural resilience of masonry walls, the integration of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) sheets stands as a notable method. In order to comprehend the behavior of structures under diverse boundary conditions, numerical analysis assumes paramount importance. In this study, a comprehensive computational analysis to explore the impact of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) sheets on masonry walls is conducted, all the while incorporating varied brick bond patterns. Specifically, the examination delves into three distinct FRP aspect ratios and investigates their influence alongside six vertical pre-compression levels, employing the Finite Element Method (FEM) modeling technique. The investigation encompasses six distinctive bond patterns: Header, Stretcher, Flemish, English, Herringbone, and Plus, each representing a unique structural arrangement. The brick walls are modeled utilizing a streamlined micro-modeling methodology within the widely adopted finite element software Abaqus. The application of Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) involves diagonal placement upon the masonry walls. The subsequent analysis involves subjecting the constructed models to concentrated in-plane loads. The outcomes, covering aspects such as compressive strength, minimum principal stresses, force-displacement characteristics, and failure prediction according to the Tsai-Hill criterion, are meticulously scrutinized and discussed. The findings of the investigation distinctly highlight the superiority of certain bond patterns over others in terms of structural performance. Among these, the Herringbone, Plus, and Flemish bond patterns emerge as the most effective, outperforming their counterparts across various assessed parameters.