Performance of hollow concrete block masonry walls retrofitted with steel‐fiber and microsilica admixed plaster

Abstract

The weakness of existing unreinforced masonry (URM) wall buildings in resisting lateral loads is a matter of concern, especially in locations exposed to seismic hazards. In order to address this shortcoming, considerable research effort has been dedicated in the last few years on the strengthening techniques of existing URM structures. This paper presents the test results of four hollow concrete block walls, one as control, one using high steel-fiber reinforced mortar admixed with microsilica (SFR-MS) mortar in joints and the other two walls plastered with 10 mm thick SFR-MS mortar on one and both sides of the wall, respectively. The shear capacity, stiffness, cracking patterns and failure modes of the walls were investigated. In addition, a nonlinear finite element simulation of the walls in an ABAQUS environment is presented and results compared with those obtained from the experimental investigations conducted. Modified analytical equations for predicting the shear capacity of masonry walls with plaster is proposed and results compared with the experimental and finite element simulation results of the investigated walls. K E Y W O R D Scyclic load test, finite element, hollow concrete blocks, masonry prism, microsilica, plaster, plastic damage model, steel-fiber, unreinforced masonry walls

Review on Masonry Hollow Block Walls: Materials and Construction

“…Due to variables including resource availability, societal limitations, cultural affinity, and economic feasibility, structured masonry has gained popularity in the construction of monumental, administrative, and residential buildings (Parajuli et al, 2020, Parsekian et al, 2018. In previous studies, to form masonry walls, beds, and head joints were used to connect concrete hollow blocks (Hasan et al, 2021, Ma et al, 2016, Gabor et al, 2019, Reboul et al, 2018, Al-Shugaa et al, 2019, Chi et al, 2019, Calderón et al, 2020, Materials & 2018 this implies that skilled workers are required in the construction process. For thousands of years, using mortar to bond block units on top of each other has proven to be a successful technique, primarily justified by its simplicity and durability during construction (Popescu et al, 2015).…”

Experimental investigation of seismic behavior of confined cavity walls retrofitted with reactive powder concrete overlays

“…2 Currently, the methods used for reinforcement of masonry structures include strengthening with a reinforced concrete layer, fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix and wire, polymer textile reinforced mortar, or high steel fiber reinforced mortar admixed with microsilica. [3][4][5] In recent years, with the increasing demand for masonry structure reinforcement, multiple techniques and products have become available to improve the seismic performance of masonry structures. For example, Santa-Maria H et al, [6][7][8] repaired cracked masonry walls with external fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), which could avoid the brittle failure mode, effectively restrain the development of existing cracks and enhance the seismic performance of masonry Discussion on this paper must be submitted within two months of the print publication.…”