The static upgrade and redevelopment work at the Fire Station in Ragusa were carried out using some of the most advanced FRCM composite material-based structural strengthening solutions.
The Fire Station, which has been extended several times over the years, has already been the subject of a series of structural grades in the past.
Initial inspections highlighted the need for strengthening work on various parts of the structure, including the beam-column nodes and the original masonry structures, in order to ensure the building complied with the currently applicable anti-seismic safety standards.
Ruregold implemented masonry and concrete structural strengthening systems based on the innovative FRCM solution, consisting of long PBO fibres with a special inorganic matrix capable of guaranteeing adhesion to the substrate.
The beam-column nodes present in the structures were strengthened using a combination of two FRCM strengthening systems consisting of the PBO fibre meshes PBO-Mesh 105 and PBO-Mesh 70/18, and the cementitious inorganic matrix MX-PBO Concrete.
PBO-Mesh 105 is a unidirectional, 105 g/m2 PBO fibre mesh, with thermoplastic glass fibres transverse to the direction of the PBO fibres; it is intended for use with the MX-PBO Concrete fibre-reinforced inorganic matrix on concrete structures, where it optimises the transfer of stresses from the structural element to the strengthening mesh.
PBO-Mesh 70/18, is a biaxial PBO fibre mesh weighing 70 g/m2 in warp 18 g/m2 in weft, which is available in two sizes (50 and 100 cm). It may be used to improve the ductility of the terminal parts of beams and columns by wrapping, confining columns, increasing the strength of beam-column node panels, and strengthening concrete beams and structures in normal and pre-compressed reinforced concrete.
The 6 mm version of PBO-Joint, a PBO fibre connector developed for use with Ruregold FRCM systems, was also used when applying the strengthening wrapping.
Finally, when strengthening the original masonry structures, the PBO-Mesh 22/22 system, consisting of a biaxial, 44 g/m2 100 cm PBO fibre mesh, and the specific cementitious mortar MX-PBO Masonry were also used.
In addition to reducing intervention times to a minimum, thanks to the combination of Ruregold FRCM solutions it was possible to fully restore the static functionality of the complex and ensure it complies with the currently applicable anti-seismic standards.