Limit analysis of masonry arches with externally bonded FRP reinforcements

We illustrate the application to the case of masonry arches of an original approach to limit analysis of structural models based upon the intersection properties of convex sets. The numerical procedure that has been implemented in order to determine the collapse loads of single and multi-span arches is discussed in detail. Its specialization to the significant case of masonry arches reinforced with composites is also investigated, the reinforcement consisting of flexible FRP strips applied on the intrados and/or the extrados of the arch. The robustness of the procedure has been assessed by performing extensive numerical simulations and by plotting some charts useful for design purposes.