INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (IRJET) E-ISSN: 2395-0056 VOLUME: 08 ISSUE: 04 | APR 2021 WWW.IRJET.NET P-ISSN: 2395-0072 © 2021, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.529 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 3425 Comparative Investigation of Strengthening Techniques of Masonry Panels using GFRP Swapnil Vilas Patwari 1 , Dr. S. A. Bhalchandra 2 1 PG scholar, Applied Mechanics Department, Government Engineering College, Aurangabad, India 2 Associate Professor, Applied Mechanics Department, Government Engineering College, Aurangabad, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract - Unreinforced masonry (URM) accounts a huge proportion of structures around the world. All design philosophies in the world are exclusively formed for the design of RCC elements, where as there are very few of them for the design of masonry elements of a structure. The losses caused due to failure of URM are as close as the losses caused due to failure of RCC elements. Therefore, efficient and affordable strengthening techniques are urgently required for the strengthening of masonry elements. Among all the strengthening materials, Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) has found to be a significant material which can provide tensile capacity to the brittle masonry elements. The aim of this experimental study is to provide a background to the physical and mechanical properties of GFRP in the form of unidirectional sheets and bars, and the strengthening techniques for masonry panels. Various strengthening techniques and configurations of GFRP sheets and bars are presented. Masonry wall panels (unstrengthened and strengthened) are modelled and analysed in a code viz. DIANA FEA and results are compared in terms of their shear capacities. Key words—Unreinforced Masonry, Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer, strengthening, GFRP laminates (key words) 1. INTRODUCTION Over the last few decades the world has seen a growing awareness amongst the structural engineers, the significance of the physical and in-service properties of GFRP. This material has emerged as an efficient competitor to other conventional materials used for the purpose of strengthening of structures. A huge number of structures comprising of masonry elements are in need of strengthening due to either structural degradation or change in the use of structure. The extraordinary properties of GFRP like high strength-to-weight ratio, lightweight, potentially high overall durability, corrosion resistance and tailorability enable it to be used in cases where the conventional strengthening materials may be found inefficient in terms of overall cost, durability and workability. Over last few years, the manufacturing technologies for production of GFRP composite have been revolutionised by sophisticated manufacting techniques. These technologies have enabled GFRP composites to be produced to high quality with minimal voids and precise fibre alignment. The strengthening of existing masonry elements is fast growing especially after world war II. Due to the previously discussed properties of GFRP which are impeccable in nature, GFRP composite in the form of unidirectional sheets and bars has been used for this study. The strengthening of the wall panels is done in such ways that the shear strength of panels is enhanced. This is because, generally masonry panels fails from the joints made up of mortar which is bonded together with the brick blocks. The bond is solely responsible for the abrupt slip of brick blocks and mortar. In this study, wall panels are modelled and analysed in DIANA FEA, which are later checked for in-plane compression, bending and shear capacities. Conclusively, the results obtained are compared with each other in terms of techniques of strengthening and change in the behaviour as compared to the unstregthened wall panel. 1.1 Objective of the study The main goal of this study is to predict the behaviour of unreinforced masonry wall panels which are strengthened with GFRP sheet and bars enabling them to act it as a unit. Following are the objectives which are listed in accordance to reduce the distress of masonry walls, optimize the time and minimize the effort of worker. i. To increase the diagonal stiffness of unreinforced brick masonry using GFRP by enhancing the ductility. ii. To compare the performance of unstrengthened masonry wall panel model and strengthened masonry wall panel models using three techniques of strengthening. 2. SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT: Strengthening of existing URM is done by using GFRP in two forms: GFRP laminates and GFRP bars. Externally bonded GFRP laminate strengthening is particularly preferred where there are severe access restraints or high cost associated with installation time. The objectives of the proposed study are presented in previous section which includes to increase the in-plane stiffness of brick