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One of the most important factors that define the effectiveness of Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) is their bond capacity to the substrate. This property may be compromised in case of exposure to high temperatures, although the information available on this topic is very limited at the moment. This paper analyzes the bond behavior on clay brick substrates of TRMs with carbon or glass textiles and different hydraulic lime mortar matrix. The effect of bond length and 3 levels of exposure temperature (20, 200 and 400 °C) are studied. The results show that at 200 °C the TRMs analyzed retain a significant part of their bond capacity, although textile slippage within the mortar matrix occurs and the tensile capacity of the fibers cannot be fully exploited, even if the meshes are properly anchored. At 400 °C the bond capacity may be completely lost, and debonding at the matrix-to-substrate interface may occur at very low stresses, depending on the properties of each TRM.

A key feature that determines the seismic performance of masonry buildings is the ability of the walls to withstand in-plane cyclic loads. In this context, Textile Reinforced Mortars (TRM) have proven to be a very suitable strengthening solution, although their effectiveness after high temperature exposure is currently practically unexplored. This paper proposes an experimental campaign with full-scale brick walls and carbon fiber TRM, tested to failure under horizontal cyclic in-plane loads, after being exposed to temperatures of about 1000 °C by exposure to real fire. TRM is applied on one or both sides of the walls, and after or before exposure to fire, to simulate different scenarios that a real building could be exposed to. The results show that high temperatures can seriously compromise the integrity of the walls, while TRM can provide effective protection and prevent cracking of masonry from fire. Even after previous fire damage, the reinforcements can double the shear strength of unreinforced damaged walls, and provide high ductility and energy dissipation capacity. However, it is important to note that TRM, even undamaged, may not be able to properly retrofit a severely fire-damaged wall.

El hormigón es considerado el material de construcción tradicional por excelencia en el mundo. Sin embargo, existe una demanda de avances tecnológicos en respuesta a los nuevos requisitos innovadores [1], basados tanto en cuestiones de sostenibilidad como en criterios de seguridad. Los compuestos de hormigón multifuncionales son una nueva generación de materiales que proporcionan a las infraestructuras, la capacidad de desarrollar ellas mismas simultáneamente nuevas funciones, además del papel estructural habitual [2], [3]. Cuando los materiales con estas funciones producen una variación de señal que podría ser detectada por un dispositivo externo, también son denominados materiales inteligentes. Una aplicación clave de los materiales inteligentes se encuentra en los sistemas de monitorización estructural (SHM), que es posible gracias a sus propiedades intrínsecas de autodetección, también conocidas como propiedades piezorresistivas [4]–[7]. Esta tesis se ha desarrollado dentro del marco del proyecto europeo MASTRO “Intelligent bulk MAterials for Smart TRanspOrt industries” cuyo objetivo general ha sido desarrollar materiales inteligentes con capacidad de autorespuesta para el sector del transporte, en particular, para la industria aeroespacial, infraestructuras y automoción. Se trata de un proyecto financiado por el programa Horizonte 2020 de la Comisión Europea, con un presupuesto de casi 6 millones de € para un consorcio de 16 participantes, entre ellos el grupo de investigación del departamento de Ingeniería Civil de la Universidad de Alicante y liderado por la multinacional española ACCIONA. Esta tesis se presenta como compendio de publicaciones y queda estructurada en cuatro secciones. La Sección Inicial constituye la sección de Síntesis y está formada por cuatro apartados. En primer apartado, se realiza una introducción, a través del estado del arte y la revisión de la literatura relacionada más reciente. En el segundo apartado se exponen los objetivos y la e

Masonry walls exhibit low tensile strength and high material heterogeneity, which makes them especially vulnerable against accidental loadings. There are a large number of studies, both experimentally and numerically, of the masonry behaviour under accidental loadings such as earthquakes. In this regard, the most relevant research focuses on (1) evaluating the shear strength of masonry with diagonal compression tests, (2) its behavior against in-plane cyclical loadings and (3) textile reinforced mortars TRM-based reinforcement techniques. However, there are very few studies that analyse the behavior of masonry under high temperature exposure, such as those that can occur in a fire. This paper describes the preliminary results of an experimental tests in which masonry panels (reinforced with TRM and unreinforced) have been tested in diagonal compression, previously damaged by the fire exposure. For this, masonry panels were subjected to different temperature levels, up to a maximum of 600 °C using an electric oven. In general, the results show that high temperatures causes a decrease in shear strength, as well as the transverse stiffness modulus. However, the walls reinforced with TRM based on carbon fiber were the ones that presented the best performance, since their mechanical properties were reduced by a smaller percentage.

Although one of the main advantages of Textile Reinforced Mortars (TRM) is their non-combustible character, their behavior against fire or high temperatures has not been sufficiently studied at present. This work analyzes the behavior of different commercial systems containing inorganic mortars and fabric reinforcements based on glass, carbon and basalt fibers, subjected to different temperature levels. To characterize the mechanical response of the different systems, non-destructive tests have been carried out to determine the dynamic modulus of elasticity of the different materials, and subsequent destructive tests to determine their strength and stress-strain relationship. For this purpose, the TRM coupons have been subjected to uniaxial tensile tests and the deformations have been monitored using LVDT (Linear Variable Displacement Transducer) sensors and DIC (Digital Image Correlation), in order to evaluate cracking patterns and failure modes. The results show, in general terms, that the mechanical capacity of these materials is seriously compromised at temperatures in the order of 400 to 600 °C, which can easily be reached during a fire inside a building. Therefore, it can be concluded that although these systems are erroneously perceived as fire resistant in many cases, they may require additional protection depending on the specific use for which they are intended.

Uno de los aspectos más importantes que determina la eficacia de los Textile Reinforced Mortars (TRM) es su capacidad de adherencia respecto del sustrato base, cuestión esencial para garantizar una correcta transmisión de tensiones. Aunque este tema ha sido objeto de diferentes investigaciones durante la última década, la adherencia bajo el efecto de temperaturas elevadas apenas ha sido analizada hasta la fecha. En este trabajo se plantea el estudio experimental de la adherencia entre muros de ladrillo cerámico y distintas soluciones de TRM, con mallas de fibras de carbono o vidrio y diferentes matrices. Los ensayos se realizan a temperatura ambiente y tras exposición a 200 y 400 ºC, a fin de evaluar la incidencia que un eventual incendio podría tener en un edificio reforzado con estos materiales. Los resultados muestran, en líneas generales, que la exposición a temperaturas elevadas reduce notablemente la adherencia y puede comprometer seriamente la eficacia de estos refuerzos. Puede concluirse, por tanto, que aunque los TRM se perciben con frecuencia como sistemas resistentes al fuego y que pueden emplearse sin protección, en realidad no es así.

En este artículo se utiliza la Realidad Virtual Inmersiva (RVI) en enseñanzas técnicas tales como el Grado de Ingeniería Civil, el Grado en Fundamentos de la Arquitectura Técnica y el Máster de Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos. Los objetivos de la investigación son: facilitar el entendimiento de los detalles constructivos, de la distribución volumétrica de espacios y del armado de elementos estructurales, algo que a veces es difícil de transmitir con las herramientas clásicas (Power Point, dibujos en pizarra, planos, etc.); aumentar la, a veces, escasa motivación del alumnado introduciendo nuevas tecnologías y facilitando su proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje; adaptar al alumnado a la rápida incorporación de la RVI en el ámbito laboral. La experiencia se llevó a cabo en cuatro asignaturas y se comprobó la mejora en la adquisición de conocimientos de los estudiantes dependiendo de la técnica utilizada: las tradicionales o la RVI. La evaluación de la consecución de los objetivos se realizó mediante cuestionarios de opinión y examinando objetivamente a los estudiantes sobre un caso en concreto analizado por una parte de ellos de la forma tradicional y por el resto mediante la RVI.

Este curso 2021-22 se ha organizado y celebrado un concurso denominado City Gamers. Ha sido creado por profesorado de los departamentos de Ingeniería Civil y de Edificación y Urbanismo y ha estado orientado a estudiantes de la ESO para fomentar en ellas y ellos el interés por el urbanismo, el funcionamiento y crecimiento sostenible de nuestras ciudades, y por las disciplinas STEM en general. Como vehículo del concurso se ha empleado, por un lado, el Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible 11 de la Agenda 2030 y, del otro lado, el videojuego Cities: Skylines®, el cual es un simulador de creación y gestión de ciudades. Las alumnas y alumnos participantes, por equipos paritarios de hasta seis, tuvieron que desarrollar dos actividades académicas basadas en los medios anteriormente citados, a lo largo de los meses de febrero, marzo, abril y mayo. Se recabó información para poder analizar el impacto formativo del concurso en el alumnado participante, tanto al inicio como al término del concurso, mediante sendos formularios distribuidos a las y los participantes. En esta memoria se describe con mayor detalle el concurso, las herramientas empleadas y un análisis del impacto formativo logrado con esta primera edición del concurso.

The behavior of masonry walls strengthened with Textile Reinforced Mortars (TRM) is a topic that has received considerable attention from researchers in recent years. However, the response of such elements after exposure to high temperature is an issue that remains to be explored extensively. This study analyzes the behavior of TRM-strengthened brick masonry panels with glass and carbon fiber meshes subjected to temperatures up to 600 °C, and subsequently tested under diagonal compression. The reinforcements were applied before or after temperature exposure, to analyze the effectiveness of damaged or undamaged TRMs, thus simulating different scenarios that might occur in a real building under a fire event. In general terms, the results showed that TRMs with carbon fibers exhibited a better response in these conditions, restoring the walls to their original capacity and providing additional ductility, whilst reinforcements with glass fibers seemed to be more affected by temperature. Finally, the experimental results are here compared to predictions from available design guides, in order to assess the accuracy that these codes would provide in these circumstances.

El objetivo de esta innovación docente es dar a conocer las posibilidades de las herramientas de diseño geométrico avanzado para la definición de elementos de ingeniería civil en 3D, su relación e implementación con metodologías BIM y realidad aumentada (AR), y la realización de modelos reales a escala reducida mediante impresión 3D. Estas nuevas tecnologías aportan una motivación extra al alumnado, facilitan la asimilación y comprensión de los conceptos previamente desarrollados en clase, mejoran entendimiento de las relaciones y las colisiones entre cada parte del proyecto y el aportan una nueva forma de mostrar los resultados a los clientes, así como la adquisición de las competencias del plan de estudios. Para ello se realizará una experiencia docente utilizando estas nuevas tecnologías en el Máster de Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos. Los medios tecnológicos necesarios para que los alumnos puedan disfrutar de esta nueva metodología son: una plataforma donde alojar proyectos BIM, una aplicación para dispositivos móviles de realidad aumentada y una impresora 3D con su software asociado. La propuesta docente será evaluada mediante dos rúbricas a los alumnos y alumnas, una antes y otra después de realizar la actividad.

Historical buildings are located in the city center, near squares where celebrations take place. These festivities usually include pyrotechnic events that impose blast loadings on historical buildings. In this paper, a methodology for the analysis of the dynamic response of historical buildings is presented, and applied to the Altamira Palace — a historical building listed as Spanish National Monument located in Elche (Spain) — during the experimental campaigns that registered the effect of two different pyrotechnic events. Vibration levels associated with these events are presented and analysed according to several international standards and scientific recommendations, in order to avoid even cosmetic damages. The qualitative analysis of the accelerograms, registered during both events, served to identify the different parts of the spectacle, in which the highest accelerations were induced during the last phase (commonly known as the earthquake). Based on the quantitative analysis of the signals, the most significant frequency range in terms of possible damage to the monument was detected below 10 Hz. In this range, the measurements showed peak accelerations much higher than those limits recommended in the different standards and scientific reports.

Cement composites with hybrid conductive fillers carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphite products (GP), have been tested as strain sensors under varying temperatures (0 °C–60 °C), and moisture conditions (0%–100% saturation degree (SD)). Cement pastes with 1% CNT and 5% GP (purified expanded graphite) presented resistivity values between 50 and 75 Ohm·cm, and their strain sensing response was observed to be independent of the loading conditions. However, the gage factor increased up to four times for higher temperatures, and was influenced by the temperature time history. Gage factors were also increased when drying the material up to a SD of 71% or with entirely dried samples.

Although the confinement of compressed columns with composite materials has been extensively studied during the last decades, scarce research has been conducted in the particular case of reinforcement of stone or masonry elements subjected to high temperatures. This work reports an experimental study on the mechanical behavior of cylindrical stone specimens exposed to temperatures of 600 °C and subsequently cooled with two different methods: slow air cooling or rapid water immersion. The effect of confinement by means of carbon or glass fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) is studied. The mechanical properties of the rock are also analyzed by non-destructive tests, which constitute very appropriate techniques when working on heritage buildings. In general terms, it was found that the effect of temperature significantly reduced the strength and elastic modulus of the rock. On the other hand, FRP confinement provided large increases in strength and ultimate strain, compared to unreinforced samples. An important finding of this work is that the response of the confined specimens seems to depend basically on the properties of the FRP laminate, and not on the damage that the stone core may have suffered. Finally, the experimental results are compared with the predictions of analytical confinement models included in the most relevant international design guides. It has been proven that these models seem to provide accurate results in the case of unheated and unaltered stone, although they show larger deviations in the case of high temperature exposed specimens.

This paper aims to study the viability of conductive cement paste and conductive concrete with the hybrid addition of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphite powder (GP) as a self-heating material for heating, ice formation prevention and de-icing in pavements. Different heating tests, ice-preventing tests and de-icing tests were performed with cement paste and concrete specimens. Results confirm that the conductive cement composites studied, with the addition of 1% CNT + 5% GP, exhibited heating, de-icing and ice-prevention properties, when applying constant AC/DC voltages between the two end sides of each specimen, with relatively low energy consumption. The main contribution of this work is to achieve a sufficient conductivity level for the development of the heating and de-icing function using this hybrid addition in concrete, which has not been used so far, in order to be applied in real concrete structures.

Masonry walls exhibit low tensile strength and high material heterogeneity, which makes them especially vulnerable against cyclic loading conditions, such as those typical in earthquakes. This paper presents the experimental results obtained from tests on three masonry walls reinforced with textile reinforced mortar (TRM) materials subjected to in-plane cyclic loading. These full-scale masonry walls were tested in the LARGE laboratory at the University of Alicante (Alicante, Spain). The walls had been built using a traditional construction technique, with solid clay bricks layered with lime mortar. One specimen was tested and damaged by in-plane cyclic loading and was subsequently strengthened by a vertical layer of TRM with an overlapping of 200 mm. It was then tested again until failure in a second test. In addition, another undamaged specimen had been previously reinforced with the same TRM technique and tested until failure, thus providing a third test. A network of sensors and digital image correlation systems were used to monitor displacements and crack patterns. The comparison between these experimental results made it possible to assess the effectiveness of TRM in restoring the structural integrity of damaged masonry walls and almost doubling their load-bearing capacity under cyclic loads. Conclusions obtained here provide valuable information to the scientific community, architects and structural engineers about the strengthening and repair of severely damaged masonry walls.

The current experimental study is focused on the mechanical performance of masonry walls under in-plane cyclic shear forces. All specimens were fabricated with a central window, in which the geometry considered the recommendations of the Spanish structural seismic design code. Windows represent a weak area in the masonry structure, in which there are stress concentrations responsible for crack initiation. In order to improve the mechanical strength and ductility, a reinforcement with a Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) was used on both sides of the wall. The performance of the unreinforced and reinforced masonry has been discussed in terms of strength and ductility gain, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation capacity. The experimental tests comprised an initial vertical preload, and shear cycles with increasing amplitude. All tests were monitored by means of traditional displacement transducers, and digital image correlation. The analysis of the images showed the time evolution of the overall crack distribution. The TRM effect could be observed as an increase of the mechanical strength (maximum shear from 120 kN to more than 300 kN), higher displacements (drift from 9 to 35 mm), and more energy dissipation (the cumulative energy loss from 2.7 to 12.7 kN·m). In addition, the TRM reinforcements were capable of controlling the crack initiation and growth. The widespread crack along mortar joints observed in the unreinforced masonry became localized cracks (from the window’s corners mainly), in which crack growth direction was not determined by masonry joints.

There are many available studies on the reinforcement of columns by confinement with composite materials. However, in the particular case of stone elements, there is a lack of information regarding the performance of this solution under adverse conditions, which may occur during the life service of the structure. In this research, the confinement of calcarenite samples with a Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) jacket has been studied in different scenarios, which simulate real conditions of structural retrofitting works. Specifically, the FRP’s efficiency was assessed in water saturation specimens, in damaged samples due to previous load, or the FRP jacket was casted directly in preloaded stone columns. As a general conclusion, FRP could improve notably the compressive strength of the unconfined material. In addition, the mechanical behavior seemed to depend on the FRP properties rather than the actual damage suffered by the rock core.

The research presented in this doctoral thesis focuses on damage assessment in slender structures and on the methodology of reinforcement by means of composite materials. In particular, the dynamic behaviour of masonry belfries and industrial chimneys, as well as concrete buildings constructed in the coastal area of the Spanish east coast in the mid-20th century, has been analysed. These analyses have been carried out based on the study of several specific structures. In relation to the former, research has been carried out on the bell tower of Fiesole Cathedral, Italy. The main objective of the research is to evaluate the problems of dynamic interaction between the inertial forces associated with the swing of the bells and the main structure of the bell tower. In relation to the second structural typology, a study has been carried out to evaluate the origin of the current state of cracking of the industrial masonry chimneys, as well as to evaluate the damage associated with the problems of collapse that they present at the top of the chimneys. This study has focused on two industrial chimneys located in the municipality of Manises, Valencia, and Agost, Alicante. Finally, in relation to the third structural typology analysed, a third study was carried out on the Torre Adoc 10, located in the coastal area of the city of Alicante. The main objective of this research is to analyze the combined effect of corrosion and seismic action after forty years of corrosion processes on the structure, evaluating the distribution of the damage pattern by analyzing the capacity and demand curves. Finally, an analysis related to the seismic vulnerability of industrial masonry chimneys has been carried out, focusing on the chimney of Agost, Alicante. On the basis of this analysis the pattern of damage to the structure has been defined, and a system of reinforcement using composite materials capable of preventing the structural collapse of the stack has been proposed and sized. The con

El mundo de la ingeniería y la arquitectura llevan años experimentando un profundo cambio tecnológico y metodológico (trabajo colaborativo). Los avances tecnológicos permiten no solo diseñar y calcular directamente en 3D, sino además, de forma económica y sencilla, visualizar los proyectos mediante realidad virtual o aumentada, lo que supone una enorme ventaja tanto a nivel técnico como comercial. La metodología BIM (Building Information Modelling) engloba todos estos aspectos tremendamente revolucionarios para la ingeniería, la arquitectura y la construcción, dando lugar a un nuevo paradigma. Sin embargo, estas prácticas no parecen haber sido implementadas en los grados y másteres universitarios encargados de dotar a los estudiantes de las capacitaciones necesarias para enfrentarse a este nuevo mundo. El trabajo aquí expuesto trata de dotar al alumnado de último curso del Máster de Ingeniería de Caminos, de algunos de estos conocimientos (metodología BIM colaborativa, software BIM y Realidad Aumentada). Finalmente, se les pidió rellenar una encuesta a partir de la cual se pudo comprobar la eficacia de las metodologías docentes eminentemente prácticas y la urgente necesidad de adaptación de los actuales programas docentes en dichas titulaciones universitarias hacia una vinculación más directa con las últimas tecnologías y avances en el mundo AEC, dadas las carencias tecnológicas en los planes de estudio actuales, y en especial hacia el entorno BIM.

The mechanical properties of stone materials can be severely affected by exposure to high temperatures. The effect of fire on stone buildings could cause irreversible damage and make it necessary to retrofit the affected elements. Particularly, the strengthening of columns by confinement with composites has been widely improved during the last decades. Today, fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) confinement represents a very interesting alternative to traditional steel solutions. This work studied the behavior of cylindrical stone specimens subjected to real fire action and confined by means of CFRP or GFRP jackets, with the aim of assessing the effectiveness of these reinforcement systems applied to a material that has previously been seriously damaged by high temperature exposure. In general, the strengthened samples showed notable increases in strength and ductility. The response seemed to depend basically on the FRP properties and not on the degree of damage that the stone core may have suffered. Finally, the results obtained experimentally were compared with the confinement models proposed by the available design guides, in order to evaluate the accuracy that these models can offer under the different situations addressed in this research.

Different studies in the literature indicate the effectiveness of CNTs as reinforcing materials in cement–matrix composites due to their high mechanical strength. Nevertheless, their incorporation into cement presents some difficulties due to their tendency to agglomerate, yielding a non-homogeneous dispersion in the paste mix that results in a poor cement–CNTs interaction. This makes the surface modification of the CNTs by introducing functional groups on the surface necessary. In this study, three different treatments for incorporating polar oxygen functional groups onto the surface of carbon nanotubes have been carried out, with the objective of evaluating the influence of the type and oxidation degree on the mechanical and electrical properties and in strain-sensing function of cement pastes containing CNTs. One treatment is in liquid phase (surface oxidation with HNO3/H2SO4), the second is in gas phase (O3 treatment at 25 and 160 °C), and a third is a combination of gas-phase O3 treatment plus NaOH liquid phase. The electrical conductivity of cement pastes increased with O3- and O3-NaOH-treated CNTs with respect to non-treated ones. Furthermore, the oxygen functionalization treatments clearly improve the strain sensing performance of the CNT-cement pastes, particularly in terms of the accuracy of the linear correlation between the resistance and the stress, as well as the increase in the gage factor from 28 to 65. Additionally, the incorporation of either non-functionalized or functionalized CNTs did not produce any significant modification of the mechanical properties of CNTs. Therefore, the functionalization of CNTs favours the de-agglomeration of CNTs in the cement matrix and consequently, the electrical conductivity, without affecting the mechanical behaviour.

Sustainability requirements are gaining importance in the construction industry, which needs to take specific measures in the design and construction of concrete structures. The use of recycled aggregates in concrete may be of special interest. Recycling a construction waste will close the life cycle of the original materials (e.g., concrete). Thus, environmental benefits would come from the lower waste generation, and from a lower necessity of raw materials for new structures. The current Spanish code for structural concrete considers the use of recycled aggregates in replacement rates up to 20% by aggregate mass, assimilating their properties with those of concretes without aggregate replacement. Higher substitution percentages would require further testing. In this work, substitution of coarse aggregate for recycled aggregates (with replacement percentages of 25%, 50% and 100%) has been studied, and the concrete’s residual properties after exposure to high temperatures (between 350 °C and 850 °C) have been assessed. Compressive strength and capillary water absorption tests were made after heating, and the experiments showed higher residual strength in concretes with the greatest content of recycled aggregates. However, a statistical analysis made with additional data available in the literature seemed to predict otherwise, and the recycled aggregate replacement would have a negative effect on the residual strength.

Architectural heritage is usually built with masonry structures, which present problems under lateral in-plane loading conditions, such as wind pressure or earthquakes. In order to improve the shear behavior of masonry, the use of a fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) has become an interesting solution because of its synergy of mechanical properties and compatibility with masonry substrates. For a proper structural evaluation, the mechanical behavior of reinforced masonry and the FRCM itself needs to be characterized. Hence, a numerical model to evaluate the FRCM reinforcement requires some mechanical parameters that may be difficult to obtain. In this sense, the shear behavior of masonry can be evaluated by means of diagonal tension tests on small specimens (71 × 71 cm). In this work, a digital image correlation (DIC) monitoring system was used to control displacements and cracking patterns of masonry specimens under shear stress (induced by diagonal tension with FRCM layers) applied to one or two sides. In addition, the mechanical behavior of FRCM coupons under uniaxial tensile tests was also registered with DIC. The displacement measurements obtained by DIC were validated with the measurements registered with LVDT. Unlike LVDT-based techniques, DIC monitoring allowed us to measure deformations in masonry during the full test, detecting crack initiation even before it was visible to the eye.

The bond mechanism between steel and concrete can be compromised during a fire and is one of the least investigated phenomena in concrete research. In this work we present a thorough review of the experimental data available on this topic. The results from the tests reported by a number of researchers have been systematically collected in a database. This work also reports the results obtained in the bond strength tests carried out on four batches of normal and high strength concretes exposed to temperatures up to 825 °C. The database provides the source for a multiple regression analysis which is performed in order to define a model aimed at predicting the bond strength as a function of several variables: the exposure temperature, the concrete compressive strength at ambient temperature, the type of fibre addition, the fibre volume fraction, the age at testing, the bond length and the concrete cover of the steel bar. Based on different error measurements, our model is favourably compared to the set of experimental results reported here and also other prediction models reported in the literature.

In the last decades, there are many reports on the use of composites as reinforcement of structural elements under compression, especially regarding the confinement of concrete structures, but works on stone or masonry columns are limited. Initially, FRP jackets were used because their high structural performance. However, they present some drawbacks like aesthetics or water impermeability, which can affect their applicability in historical constructions made in stone. Recently, FRCM appeared as an alternative with better compatibility with masonry structures. In the present study, a comparison between different composite materials to confine masonry specimens was made. FRPs with carbon or glass fibers and epoxy matrix, and FRCM with basalt or glass fiber mesh in a cementitious matrix were used to confine masonry, made in calcarenite cylindrical pieces and lime mortar. Strength and ductility gains under compressive loads were measured, and compared to the recommendations of different guidelines. Unidirectional FRPs were the optimal solution from a strengthening point of view. On the other hand, FRCM confinement offered more ductility than unreinforced masonry, but showed a softening behavior. Finally, regarding the studied design codes, the specific parameters included for masonry structures seemed enough to obtain accurate predictions of the compressive strength increase due to the confinement with the tested composites.