Existing buildings: pultruded top beams and reinforced masonry with GFRP

In the interventions for the recovery of existing masonry buildings, where the roof is being rebuilt, top beams are usually constructed to ensure a box-like behavior of the building and to prevent the occurrence of out-of-plane wall overturning mechanisms due to seismic action.

This study presents the possible construction of top beams consisting of pultruded elements and reinforced masonry with GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) . The proposed solution can be a valid alternative to traditional top beams made of reinforced concrete, steel, or traditional reinforced masonry.