scholarly journals Effects of Polypropylene Fibers and Measurement Methods on the Yield Stress of Grouts for the Consolidation of Heritage Masonry Walls

Fluids ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis G. Baltazar ◽  
Fernando M. A. Henriques ◽  
Maria Teresa Cidade

The injection of grouts is a consolidation technique suitable for overcoming the structural deterioration of old stone masonry walls. Grouting operations involve introducing a suspension (grout) into a masonry core with the aim of improving the load capacity of the wall, as well as reducing its brittle mechanisms. The yield stress of injection grouts will affect the injection pressure and their flow inside the masonry. However, the determination of some rheological properties such as yield stress in hydraulic grout is challenging, due to the combined effects of hydration reactions and interactions between the particles present in the suspension. In this study, the determination of the yield stress of natural hydraulic lime-based grouts with polypropylene fibers was carried out. The changes in yield stress with time, fibers content and hydration were evaluated by two measurement methods using a rotational rheometer. Additionally, the static and dynamic yield stress as well as the critical shear–strain rate were determined, which provided useful information on the grout design in order to achieve successful grouting operations.

2017 ◽  
Vol 747 ◽  
pp. 480-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis G. Baltazar ◽  
Fernando M.A. Henriques ◽  
Maria Teresa Cidade

Multi-leaf stone masonry walls are among the most vulnerable elements of historic constructions. Grout injection is a common and efficient technique to consolidate such masonries. It consists of introducing a grout into the masonry inner core in order to upgrading the cohesion of the wall by ensuring the transversal bond between the external leaves and improving its monolithic behaviour. Notwithstanding, the recrystallization of salts due to changes in moisture content causes several damages in these masonries, even after the consolidation intervention. This paper aims to assess the potential use of linseed oil in natural hydraulic lime-based grouts to mitigate the water penetration and therefore the damages from salts crystallization. Linseed oil was used in former times as an additive for mortars in order to grant hydrophobicity. In this study several properties of the grouts were evaluated: rheology, mechanical strength, water absorption, adhesion and durability assessed by testing the resistance to sodium chloride. Moreover, this paper also analyses the correlation between non-standard specimens (with reduced size) and standard specimens (40x40x160 mm3). The experimental results revealed that the grouts durability and water transport are significantly improved with added linseed oil. It was also possible to observe a small reduction in mechanical resistance with the presence of linseed oil; however, acceptable strength values to promote an appropriate consolidation were ensured. Furthermore, the reduced size specimens revealed to be a viable alternative to the standard ones.


CivilEng ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 421-439
Author(s):  
Luis G. Baltazar ◽  
João Cardoso

Natural hydraulic lime-based grouts are often used in the structural consolidation of old stone masonry walls, mainly to re-establish the monolithic behaviour of masonry constructions. To ensure an adequate grouting operation, it is essential to have good fresh and hardened grout properties. The motivation of the present study was to examine the fresh and hardened properties of natural hydraulic lime grouts with nano-silica (NS) and silica fume (SF). The contribution of these materials and the dosage of a high range water reducer admixture (HRWR) were investigated on the rheological properties, water capillarity, open porosity and mechanical strength of injection grouts. The effects on rheology were analysed through plastic viscosity and yield stress. The results indicated that, even for reduced NS content, an increase in plastic viscosity and yield stress occurred, which required a higher HRWR content in order to not compromise the grout’s rheological performance. The results also showed that, when NS and SF were combined, a beneficial joint effect occurred, resulting in a substantial and positive change on the mechanical strength and microstructure of the hardened injection grouts. Taguchi’s method was used to optimize the grout’s formulation and to fulfil the required performance concerning the fresh and hardened state.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2313
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa Beconcini ◽  
Pietro Croce ◽  
Paolo Formichi ◽  
Filippo Landi ◽  
Benedetta Puccini

The evaluation of the shear behavior of masonry walls is a first fundamental step for the assessment of existing masonry structures in seismic zones. However, due to the complexity of modelling experimental behavior and the wide variety of masonry types characterizing historical structures, the definition of masonry’s mechanical behavior is still a critical issue. Since the possibility to perform in situ tests is very limited and often conflicting with the needs of preservation, the characterization of shear masonry behavior is generally based on reference values of mechanical properties provided in modern structural codes for recurrent masonry categories. In the paper, a combined test procedure for the experimental characterization of masonry mechanical parameters and the assessment of the shear behavior of masonry walls is presented together with the experimental results obtained on three stone masonry walls. The procedure consists of a combination of three different in situ tests to be performed on the investigated wall. First, a single flat jack test is executed to derive the normal compressive stress acting on the wall. Then a double flat jack test is carried out to estimate the elastic modulus. Finally, the proposed shear test is performed to derive the capacity curve and to estimate the shear modulus and the shear strength. The first results obtained in the experimental campaign carried out by the authors confirm the capability of the proposed methodology to assess the masonry mechanical parameters, reducing the uncertainty affecting the definition of capacity curves of walls and consequently the evaluation of seismic vulnerability of the investigated buildings.


Author(s):  
Klaus Medeiros ◽  
Kyle Chavez ◽  
Fernando S. Fonseca ◽  
Guilherme Parsekian ◽  
Nigel G. Shrive

Finite element models were developed to assess the influence of several parameters on the load capacity, deflection, and initial stiffness of multi-story, partially grouted masonry walls with openings. The base model was validated with experimental data from three walls. The analyses indicated that the load capacity of masonry walls was considerably sensitive to the ungrouted and grouted masonry strengths and mortar shear strength; moderately sensitive to the vertical reinforcement ratio and aspect ratio; slightly sensitive to the axial stress; and almost insensitive to the opening size, reinforcement spacing, and horizontal reinforcement ratio. The deflection of the walls had well-defined correlations with the masonry strength, vertical reinforcement, axial stress and aspect ratio. The initial stiffness was especially sensitive to the axial stress and the aspect ratio, but weakly correlated with the opening size, and the spacing and size of the reinforcement.


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