The brittle failure of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls when subjected to in-plane loads present low shear strength remains a critical issue. The investigation presented in this paper touches on the retrofitting of URM structures with textile-reinforced mortar (TRM), which enables shifting the shear failure mode from a brittle to a pseudo-ductile mode. Despite many guidelines for applying composite materials for retrofitting and predicting the performance of strengthened structures, the application of TRM systems in masonry walls is not extensively described. A thorough retrospect of the literature is presented, containing research results relating to different masonry walls, e.g., bricks, cement, and stone blocks strengthened with TRM jackets and subjected to diagonal compression loads. The critical issue of this study is the failure mode of the retrofitted masonry walls. Available prediction models are presented, and their predictions are compared to the experimental results based on their failure modes. The novelty of this study is the more accurate failure mode prediction of reinforced masonry with TRM and also of the shear strength with the proposed model, Thomoglou et al., 2020, at an optimal level compared to existing regulations and models. The novel prediction model estimates the shear failure mode of the strengthened wall while considering the contribution of all components, e.g., block, render mortar, strengthening textile, and cementitious matrix, by modifying the expressions of the Eurocode 8 provisions. The results have shown that the proposed model presents an optimum accuracy in predicting the failure mode of all different masonry walls strengthened with various TRM jackets and could be taken into account in the regulations for reliable forecasting.

Hazards are becoming more frequent and disturbing the built environment; this issue underpins the emergence of resilience-based engineering. Adaptive pathways (APs) were recently introduced to help flexible and dynamic decision making and adaptive management. Especially under the climate change challenge, APs can account for stressors occurring incrementally or cumulatively and for amplified-hazard scenarios. Continuous records from structural health monitoring (SHM) paired with emerging technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence can increase the reliability of measurements and predictions. Thus, emerging technologies can play a crucial role in developing APs through the lifetimes of critical infrastructure. This article contributes to the state of the art by the following four ameliorations. First, the APs are applied to the critical transportation infrastructure (CTI) for the first time. Second, an enhanced and smart AP framework for CTI is proposed; this benefits from the resilience and sustainability of emerging technologies to reduce uncertainties. Third, this innovative framework is assisted by continuous infrastructure performance assessment, which relies on continuous monitoring and mitigation measures that are implemented when needed. Next, it explores the impact of emerging technologies on structural health monitoring (SHM) and their role in enhancing resilience and adaptation by providing updated information. It also demonstrates the flexibility of monitoring systems in evolving conditions and the employment of AI techniques to manage pathways. Finally, the framework is applied to the Hollandse bridge, considering climate-change risks. The study delves into the performance, mitigation measures, and lessons learned during the life cycle of the asset.

This paper aims to investigate the interface efficiency of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) adhesively bonded on concrete, a commonly used retrofitting measure applied for enhancing the deformability and strength of decaying structures or existing ones with low capacity. The efficiency quantification is expressed with the Interface Capacity Index (IC). The index correlates the thickness and strength of each layer of the strengthening system and accounts for the transferred loads (IC_L) and the strain distribution that causes the failure propagation on the concrete substrate (IC_fp). The investigation focuses on different CFRP strengthening schemes (laminated fabrics, prefabricated plates, Near Surface Mounted bars-NSM) applied to concrete substrates using different adhesive layers. Two cases were studied for different levels of concrete’s integrity: (a) healthy and (b) containing corrosion products. The experimental results were used to calibrate the numerical models and to evaluate the effects of different strengthening strategies. The results show the tendency of the strengthening systems to shift the interface performance from fully elastic to non-linear. Further, the quantification of the efficiency of retrofitting can be addressed by accounting for the mechanical and geometrical properties at the interface level, representing different failure modes and integration levels.

The study describes the retrofit of repaired elements by reinforced concrete (RC) jacketing conducted to quantify the influence of initial construction deficiencies and of different type of anchors to the ability of the interface to transfer loads. Sixteen specimens (section scale 1:2) were designed with variables the initial deficiencies and the confinement ratio. The results indicate that: a) the maximum resistance load and dissipated energy of initially damaged specimens are decreased; b) surpassing a specific amount of damage, columns even suitably repaired present lower strain capacity, c) welded bars lead to buckling of longitudinal bars.

SEISMIC RESPONSE OF A TRANSPARENT PAVILION MADE OF STRUCTURAL GLASS - 8th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering - 28-30 June 2021, Streamed from Athens, Greece