Reinforced Concrete with steel fibres from waste tyres: a mechanical characterization

The present paper deals with the mechanical behaviour of masonry columns confined by means of fiber reinforced (FRP) composites. In particular, it presents the key results of a wide experimental work carried out in the Laboratories of the Universities of Salerno and Salento (Italy). Several kinds of masonry, made out of either natural or artificial bricks and characterized by different dimensions, have been considered in this experimental program. A total number of 54 specimens have been realized and tested in pure compression. Moreover, several composite systems (mainly based on glass fibers) have been utilized for confining those specimens in a variable number of layers with the objective of developing different levels of lateral pressure. The present paper reports the complete information about the geometric and mechanical parameters characterizing the tested specimens as well as the key aspects of the structural behaviour observed during the compression tests. In particular, the maximum load levels and the (average) corresponding axial stresses and strains are clearly derived. Finally, some behavioural observations drawn out by the observed experimental performance of such specimens are pointed out for the various groups of specimens with the aim of pointing out the key differences in terms of structural response due to the various materials utilized for both masonry and external wrapping. Such observations will be quantitatively developed in a companion paper in which further tests available in the scientific literature will be assembled to the ones reported in the present one and a design formula will be formulated and calibrated.