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The article is focused on the definitions of brick masonry expert assessment and brick masonry buildings assessment methodologies. The expert diagnostic procedures include building diagnostics, defects determination, static ensuring and so on. It is also necessary to choose the proper procedure of defects measurement and remediation. It is very important not to neglect the determination of costs. One of the methods that can greatly help in the process of assessing the condition of buildings is the brick masonry defects and faults monitoring with an emphasis on long-term measurements of the cracks shifts of various origin. Cracks are one of the most common disorders appearing in brick masonry buildings. In the article I compare and evaluate monitoring of the most significant cracks appearing during the excavation of Královopolský tunnel situated under Dobrovského street in Brno, where some depressions and inclinations of existing buildings had happened, as well as st. Gothard church in Brno Modřice and some masonry school building in Brno. In these selected cases the methodology of brick masonry expert assessment was verified.

The article is focused on the definitions of brick masonry expert assessment and brick masonry buildings assessment methodologies. The expert diagnostic procedures include building diagnostics, defects determination, static ensuring and so on. It is also necessary to choose the proper procedure of defects measurement and remediation. It is very important not to neglect the determination of costs. One of the methods that can greatly help in the process of assessing the condition of buildings is the brick masonry defects and faults monitoring with an emphasis on long-term measurements of the cracks shifts of various origin. Cracks are one of the most common disorders appearing in brick masonry buildings. In the article I compare and evaluate monitoring of the most significant cracks appearing during the excavation of Královopolský tunnel situated under Dobrovského street in Brno, where some depressions and inclinations of existing buildings had happened, as well as st. Gothard church in Brno Modřice and some masonry school building in Brno. In these selected cases the methodology of brick masonry expert assessment was verified.

The aim of this study is to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of construction materials in relation with the structural behaviour of a historic structure. Within this framework, the brick masonry superstructure of Tahir ile Zuhre Mescidi, a XIIIth century Seljuk monument in Konya was selected as case study. The study started with the determination of the basic physical (bulk density, effective porosity, water absorption capacity), mechanical (modulus of elasticity, uniaxial compressive strength), durability and pozzolanic properties of original brick and mortar by laboratory analysis. The obtained data was utilized as material information at the modelling of superstructure, by means of structural analysis software, SAP2000. At the modelling stage, finite element method was used and the complexity of masonry in terms of nonlinearity and heterogeneity was taken into account within practical limits. The constructed model was investigated under dead load, wind load, snow load, temperature load and earthquake load and their possible combinations. Structural investigation was continued with two scenarios representing possible wrong interventions i.e. completion of the partially collapsed superstructure with concrete and the concrete coating over superstructure. These cases were investigated under uniform and randomly distributed temperature loads. The results approved the safety of the superstructure under normal service conditions, defined as the appropriate combinations of dead load, snow load, wind load and temperature load. The structure appeared to be safe under the earthquake load too. The analyses carried out to simulate the inappropriate restoration works demonstrated the structural damage formations at the original structure.

Varieties of masonry units such as burnt clay bricks, stones and concrete products are used for masonry construction. Even though these materials are durable, they are considered as unsustainable options because of the issues concerning energy, environment and conservation of natural resources. The walling materials are consumed in bulk quantities and hence large quantities of natural resources are depleted. There is a need for energy efficient and environment friendly alternative materials for masonry. Fly ash is an industrial by-product from the coal based thermal power plants which can be exploited for manufacturing of masonry units such as fly ash blocks/bricks, which are an alternative for conventional masonry units. Fly ash-Lime-Gypsum (FaL-G) bricks can be manufactured by compaction of a mixture of fly ash-lime-gypsum and water. The behaviour of FaL-G brick masonry is inadequately explored area and hence the thesis is focused on understanding the flexural behaviour of FaL-G brick masonry and bond development phenomenon at FaL-G brick-mortar interface. A brief introduction to the fly ash-based masonry units and literature review with respect to utilizing fly ash in manufacturing masonry units are presented. Characteristics of raw materials used and the procedure followed in casting of masonry units/compacts, mortar and their assemblages including testing methods have been discussed. Characteristics of FaL-G brick, mortars, FaL-G brick masonry are presented. Apart from determining the stress-strain relationships for these materials shear strength parameters of FaL-G compact, mortar and brick-mortar joint were determined. Mohr-Coulomb failure envelopes for FaL-G compact and mortar are presented. The mechanism of bond development in masonry is discussed. FaL-G brick masonry shows considerably higher bond strength when compared with the bond strength of conventional brick masonry. Results of micro-structure analysis (SEM, XRD and TGA) of the FaL-G brick-mortar interfaces confirm the formation of chemical bond in addition to mechanical interlocking of cement hydration products into brick pores. Flexural behaviour of FaL-G brick masonry wallettes in the two orthogonal directions was studied. The flexural strength, displacement profiles and load-displacement curves were determined, and moment-curvature relationships were established. Linear elastic analysis performed closely predicted the cracking flexural stress in FaL-G brick masonry. A brief introduction to the computational modelling of masonry using different approaches has been presented. Literature review with respect to simplified micro-modelling approach has been discussed. The flexural behaviour of FaL-G brick masonry panels under lateral loads was predicted using a non-linear 3D finite element analysis. The finite element model reasonably predicted the flexural behaviour of FaL-G brick masonry panels. The thesis ends with summary of research work with a note on scope for further research.

The main water transport properties of clay brick are critically examined in respect of suction and water content. An experimental investigation is carried out to compare the sorptivity and vacuum saturation porosity with suction and “porosity” tests in the standards. The water retaining ability (desorptivity) of freshly mixed hydraulic lime and cement mortars is examined and the effect of hydraulicity, pozzolanic and non-pozzolanic additive materials, binder particle size and the chemistry of mix water on the water retentivity of these mortars are investigated. The inter-relationship of substrate (brick) suction and desorptivity of freshly mixed wet lime and cement mortar are investigated. It is shown that the initial setting time of dewatered freshly-mixed mortars is reduced by a factor of up to 80% and the final setting time is reduced by a factor of 60%. The extent of this reduction depends on hydraulicity. For the cured mortars, following dewatering in the wet state, the compressive and flexural strengths are increased by about 40% for cement mortar and by more than 3 times for lime mortar. The sorptivity of hardened cement and lime mortars is reduced by 80%. These results have implications for the British and European standards where mortars are cast in impermeable steel moulds in which dewatering cannot occur prior to setting. The accuracy of the methodology of the American Petroleum Institute (API) pressure cell technique for testing the water retaining ability of fresh mortars was critically examined. An experimental investigation was carried out in two parts, first by changing the controlled variables of the experimental set up. Second the consequences for the results obtained were evaluated. Experimental verification is undertaken of the fundamental Sharp Front equation S=(2KΨf)^(1/2) which describes the inter-relationship of capillary pressure, sorptivity, porosity and hydraulic conductivity.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Inserting fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strips into pre-cut grooves in the surface of masonry walls is an emerging technique for the retrofit of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures. This method, known as near surface mounting (NSM), provides significant advantages over externally bonded FRP strips in that it has less of an effect on the aesthetics of a structure and can sustain higher loading before debonding. As this technique is relatively new, few studies into the behaviour of masonry walls strengthened using this technique have been conducted. A combined experimental and numerical program was conducted as part of this research project to study the in-plane shear behaviour of masonry wall panels strengthened with NSM carbon FRP (CFRP) strips. In this project the FRP strips were designed to resist sliding along mortar bed joints and diagonal cracking (through mortar joints and brick units). Both of these failure modes are common to masonry shear walls. Different reinforcement orientations were used, including: vertical; horizontal; and a combination of both. The first stage of the project involved characterising the bond between the FRP and the masonry using experimental pull tests (18 in total). From these tests the bond strength, the critical bond length and the local bond-slip relationship of the debonding interface was determined. The second stage of the project involved conducting diagonal tension/shear tests on masonry panels. A total of four URM wall panels and seven strengthened wall panels were tested. These tests were used to determine: the effectiveness of the reinforcement; the failure modes; the reinforcement mechanisms; and the behaviour of the bond between the masonry and the FRP in the case of a panel. The third stage of the project involved developing a finite element model to help understand the experimental results. The masonry was modelled using the micro-modelling approach, and the FRP was attached to the masonry model using the bond-slip relationships determined from the pull tests. Reinforcement schemes in which vertical FRP strips were used improved the strength and ductility of the masonry wall panels. When only horizontal strips were used to reinforce a wall panel, failure occurred along an un-strengthened bed joint and the increase in strength and ductility was negligible. The vertical reinforcement prevented URM sliding failure by restraining the opening (dilation) of the sliding cracks that developed through the mortar bed joints. The finite element model reproduced the key behaviours observed in the experiments for both the unreinforced and FRP strengthened wall panels. This model would potentially be useful for the development of design equations.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Inserting fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strips into pre-cut grooves in the surface of masonry walls is an emerging technique for the retrofit of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures. This method, known as near surface mounting (NSM), provides significant advantages over externally bonded FRP strips in that it has less of an effect on the aesthetics of a structure and can sustain higher loading before debonding. As this technique is relatively new, few studies into the behaviour of masonry walls strengthened using this technique have been conducted. A combined experimental and numerical program was conducted as part of this research project to study the in-plane shear behaviour of masonry wall panels strengthened with NSM carbon FRP (CFRP) strips. In this project the FRP strips were designed to resist sliding along mortar bed joints and diagonal cracking (through mortar joints and brick units). Both of these failure modes are common to masonry shear walls. Different reinforcement orientations were used, including: vertical; horizontal; and a combination of both. The first stage of the project involved characterising the bond between the FRP and the masonry using experimental pull tests (18 in total). From these tests the bond strength, the critical bond length and the local bond-slip relationship of the debonding interface was determined. The second stage of the project involved conducting diagonal tension/shear tests on masonry panels. A total of four URM wall panels and seven strengthened wall panels were tested. These tests were used to determine: the effectiveness of the reinforcement; the failure modes; the reinforcement mechanisms; and the behaviour of the bond between the masonry and the FRP in the case of a panel. The third stage of the project involved developing a finite element model to help understand the experimental results. The masonry was modelled using the micro-modelling approach, and the FRP was attached to the masonry model using the bond-slip relationships determined from the pull tests. Reinforcement schemes in which vertical FRP strips were used improved the strength and ductility of the masonry wall panels. When only horizontal strips were used to reinforce a wall panel, failure occurred along an un-strengthened bed joint and the increase in strength and ductility was negligible. The vertical reinforcement prevented URM sliding failure by restraining the opening (dilation) of the sliding cracks that developed through the mortar bed joints. The finite element model reproduced the key behaviours observed in the experiments for both the unreinforced and FRP strengthened wall panels. This model would potentially be useful for the development of design equations.

Fly ash is a waste product from thermal power plants where pulverised coal is used for the generation of electricity. Fly ash is being utilised in the blended cements, additive for concrete and manufacturing of concrete blocks and bricks. Fly ash-lime-gypsum bricks are being manufactured and marketed throughout the country. The literature review on fly ash-lime-gypsum (FALG) mixtures as intended to manufacture bricks or blocks for masonry applications indicates several gaps in understanding the various aspects of the technology. The present thesis is an attempt to understand the behaviour of compacted stabilised fly ash mixtures for the manufacture of fly ash bricks and characteristics of masonry using such bricks. A brief introduction to the technology of compacted stabilised fly ash bricks for structural masonry is provided. Review of the literature on fly ash-lime and fly ash-lime-gypsum mixtures, and fly ash bricks is provided in chapter 1. Chapter 2 gives details of the experimental programme, properties of raw materials used in the experimental investigations, methods of preparing different types of specimens and their testing procedures. Chapter 3 deals with the strength and absorption characteristics of compacted stabilised fly ash mixtures in greater detail. The main focus of the investigations is on arriving at the optimum stabilizer-fly ash mixtures considering density, stabilizer-fly ash ratio, curing conditions, etc. as the variables. Therefore the parameters/variables considered in the investigation include: (a) density of the compacted fly ash mixture, (b) stabilizer-fly ash ratio, (c) curing duration (normal curing and steam curing) and (d) dosage of additives like gypsum. Some of the major conclusions of the investigations are (a) compressive strength of compacted stabilised fly ash mixtures is sensitive to dry density of the specimens and the strength increases with increase in density irrespective of stabiliser content and type of curing, (b) Optimum limefly ash ratio yielding maximum strength is 0.75, (c) addition of gypsum accelerates rate of strength gain for compacted fly ash-lime mixtures (d) for 28 days wet burlap curing optimum gypsum content yielding maximum strength is 2% and maximum compressive strength is achieved for lime contents in the range of 10 – 17%, (e) steam curing (at 80 °C for 24 hours) gives highest compressive strength for compacted fly ash-lime mixtures. Characteristics of compacted fly ash-lime, fly ash-lime-gypsum and fly ash-cement bricks and their masonry are presented in chapter 4. Compressive strength, elastic modulus, water absorption, initial rate of absorption, dimensional stability and durability of the bricks were examined. Compressive strength, flexure bond strength and stress strain relationship for the fly ash brick masonry using cement-lime mortar were evaluated. The investigations clearly show the possibility of producing bricks of good quality using compacted fly ash-lime gypsum mixtures. Wet compressive strengths of 8- 10 MPa was obtained for compacted fly ash-lime-gypsum bricks at the age of 28 days. Wet strength to dry strength ratio for these bricks is in the range of 0.55 – 0.67. Initial tangent modulus for the fly ash-lime-gypsum bricks in saturated condition is in the range of 8000 – 12000 MPa. There is a large scope for selecting optimum mix ratios of fly ash, sand, lime and other additives to obtain a specific designed strength for the brick. The thesis ends with Chapter 5 highlighting major conclusions of the investigations.