Debonding Process of Masonry Element Strengthened with FRP.

The influence of mortars joints in masonry substrate reinforced with FRP is investigated from the numerical point of view. The analysis has been conducted by means of a new interface model specifically developed to reproduce the debonding process oc- curring between an elastic thin body in adhesion with a cohesive support material. The model accounts for mode I and mode II of failure, considering the effect of the in-plane deformation of the interface, i.e. the possible elongation or confinement of the material constituting the interface. Numerical results are compared with experimental evidences showing good performances of the proposed model in investigating the transferring phenomena and in studying the influence of the presence of mortar joints in the masonry texture in the debonding process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]