Ingeniera Civil, Mención Estructuras / Las tecnologías para la rehabilitación de estructuras dañadas resultan de especial relevancia en países sísmicos. En el caso de estructuras frágiles de hormigón armado y de albañilería se han estudiado diferentes sistemas de reparación estructural, en busca de un refuerzo cuyas propiedades sean compatibles con las del sustrato y que restituyan la integridad y recuperen o aumenten de buena manera la capacidad portante de los elementos. El objetivo principal del presente trabajo de título consiste en el estudio de la metodología de diseño de uno de estos sistemas de refuerzo, sistema conocido como FRCM*. Este tipo de refuerzo es un material compuesto, constituido por aglomerante cementíceo como matriz y malla de fibras minerales como refuerzo, el cual se adhiere externamente a los elementos de hormigón armado, con mínima alteración arquitectónica. Este sistema de refuerzo es considerado como una solución prometedora para la recuperación de estructuras dañadas. En este trabajo se realiza primeramente una revisión bibliográfica de manera de contextualizar los avances y las principales características del refuerzo y comparar con el método actualmente en uso, refuerzo conocido como FRP**, variante del cual surge el desarrollo del FRCM. Uno de los objetivos de esta memoria es el estudio la precisión del método de diseño, que se realiza a partir de las disposiciones que establece el manual de diseño ACI 549, para elementos representativos de vigas y columnas a partir de resultados experimentales obtenidos de estudios de laboratorios de otros autores. De estos análisis comparativos se concluye que la norma de diseño cuantifica de manera conservadora los aumentos de capacidad de los elementos. Como aplicación de la metodología a un caso práctico, se estudia el diseño del refuerzo FRCM para una estructura real, que ha sufrido deterioro en su manto, con agrietamiento y deslaminación. Se trata de una chimenea de hormigón armado perteneciente a una termoeléctrica de carbón, ubicada en Ventanas, V región. Se propone realizar la consolidación del manto exterior, lo que permite llevar la estructura a su estado original, recuperando la capacidad estructural y prolongando su período de servicio. *FRCM: Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix **FRP: Fiber Reinforced Polymer

Materiais aplicados na construção civil são importantes para fornecer segurança e conforto às pessoas. Quanto mais adequadas as propriedades térmicas, menos energia é necessária para aquecer ou resfriar uma área construída. A NBR 15575:2013 - Desempenho de Edificações Habitacionais, padronizou desempenhos térmicos para construções. Os blocos estruturais cerâmicos atendem o padrão mínimo, porém acredita-se que seu desempenho possa ser melhorado utilizando materiais de características isolantes dentro de seus furos verticais. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é investigar compósitos de matriz cimentícia com agregados leves para o aprimoramento térmico de blocos estruturais cerâmicos. Para o estudo, quatro corpos de prova foram produzidos preenchendo o vazado dos blocos com compósitos de matriz cimentícia utilizando 80% agregados leves (argila expandida, vermiculita, poliestireno expandido (EPS) e perlita expandida), 20% de cimento, além de uma amostra preenchida com graute estrutural que é comumente utilizado em edificações de alvenaria estrutural. Também foram produzidos corpos de prova com os compósitos, para a análise de massa específica, microscopia, resistência à compressão, absorção de água e desempenho térmico medido por termografia. Nos blocos, analisou-se massa final preenchido, absorção de água e desempenho térmico. No estudo termográfico, os blocos preenchidos foram comparados ao bloco cerâmico vazado padrão. Concluiu-se que o preenchimento dos vazados dos blocos com todos os compósitos leves e com o graute estrutural proporcionou um desempenho térmico melhor que o do bloco padrão, se destacando o EPS como melhor desempenho. O desempenho térmico dos prismas de compósitos confirmou o que foi observado nos corpos de prova de blocos. Assim foram feitos novos corpos de prova maximizando o teor de EPS para 85% e 90%. A análise térmica destas amostras apresentou melhor resultado para EPS 90%. O aumento do teor de EPS diminuiu a resistência à compressão e aumentou a absorção de água, porém, como o foco é o desempenho térmico e o bloco preenchido com o compósito EPS (90%) atende as características normativas, esta pode ser uma solução interessante. / Materials applied in civil construction are important to provide security and comfort to people. The more appropriate the thermal properties are, the less energy it is necessary to provide heat or cold to a constructed area. The NBR 15575:2013 standard, which deals with the Performance of Residential Constructions, has standardized thermal performances for buildings. Structural ceramic blocks meet the minimum standard, but it is believed that their performance can be improved by means of materials with isolating characteristics within their vertical holes. Thus, the aim of this paper is to investigate cementitious matrix composites with lightweight aggregates for thermal improvement of ceramic structural blocks. For the study, four specimens were produced by filling the hollow spaces of the blocks with cementitious matrix composites using 80% of lightweight aggregates (expanded clay, vermiculite, expanded polystyrene – EPS –, and expanded perlite), and 20% of cement. These were compared to a sample filled with structural grout, which is commonly used in structural masonry buildings. Specimens were also produced with the composites for specific mass analysis, microscopy, compression resistance, water absorption and thermal performance measured by thermography. In the blocks, the final, filled weight was analyzed, as well as water absorption and thermal performance. In the thermographic study, the filled blocks were compared to standard ceramic hollow blocks. It was concluded that filling the hollow spaces of the blocks with all the lightweight composites and structural grout provided a better thermal performance than that of standard blocks, highlighting EPS as having the best performance. Thermal performance of the composite prisms confirms what was observed in the block specimens. Thus, new specimens were made maximizing the EPS content to 85% and 90%. Thermal analysis of these samples presented better results for EPS 90%. The increase in the EPS content decreased compression resistance and increased water absorption. However, as the focus is thermal performance and as the block filled with EPS composite (90%) meets the requirements of the standard, this may be an interesting solution.

Materiais aplicados na construção civil são importantes para fornecer segurança e conforto às pessoas. Quanto mais adequadas as propriedades térmicas, menos energia é necessária para aquecer ou resfriar uma área construída. A NBR 15575:2013 - Desempenho de Edificações Habitacionais, padronizou desempenhos térmicos para construções. Os blocos estruturais cerâmicos atendem o padrão mínimo, porém acredita-se que seu desempenho possa ser melhorado utilizando materiais de características isolantes dentro de seus furos verticais. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é investigar compósitos de matriz cimentícia com agregados leves para o aprimoramento térmico de blocos estruturais cerâmicos. Para o estudo, quatro corpos de prova foram produzidos preenchendo o vazado dos blocos com compósitos de matriz cimentícia utilizando 80% agregados leves (argila expandida, vermiculita, poliestireno expandido (EPS) e perlita expandida), 20% de cimento, além de uma amostra preenchida com graute estrutural que é comumente utilizado em edificações de alvenaria estrutural. Também foram produzidos corpos de prova com os compósitos, para a análise de massa específica, microscopia, resistência à compressão, absorção de água e desempenho térmico medido por termografia. Nos blocos, analisou-se massa final preenchido, absorção de água e desempenho térmico. No estudo termográfico, os blocos preenchidos foram comparados ao bloco cerâmico vazado padrão. Concluiu-se que o preenchimento dos vazados dos blocos com todos os compósitos leves e com o graute estrutural proporcionou um desempenho térmico melhor que o do bloco padrão, se destacando o EPS como melhor desempenho. O desempenho térmico dos prismas de compósitos confirmou o que foi observado nos corpos de prova de blocos. Assim foram feitos novos corpos de prova maximizando o teor de EPS para 85% e 90%. A análise térmica destas amostras apresentou melhor resultado para EPS 90%. O aumento do teor de EPS diminuiu a resistência à compressão e aumentou a absorção de água, porém, como o foco é o desempenho térmico e o bloco preenchido com o compósito EPS (90%) atende as características normativas, esta pode ser uma solução interessante. / Materials applied in civil construction are important to provide security and comfort to people. The more appropriate the thermal properties are, the less energy it is necessary to provide heat or cold to a constructed area. The NBR 15575:2013 standard, which deals with the Performance of Residential Constructions, has standardized thermal performances for buildings. Structural ceramic blocks meet the minimum standard, but it is believed that their performance can be improved by means of materials with isolating characteristics within their vertical holes. Thus, the aim of this paper is to investigate cementitious matrix composites with lightweight aggregates for thermal improvement of ceramic structural blocks. For the study, four specimens were produced by filling the hollow spaces of the blocks with cementitious matrix composites using 80% of lightweight aggregates (expanded clay, vermiculite, expanded polystyrene – EPS –, and expanded perlite), and 20% of cement. These were compared to a sample filled with structural grout, which is commonly used in structural masonry buildings. Specimens were also produced with the composites for specific mass analysis, microscopy, compression resistance, water absorption and thermal performance measured by thermography. In the blocks, the final, filled weight was analyzed, as well as water absorption and thermal performance. In the thermographic study, the filled blocks were compared to standard ceramic hollow blocks. It was concluded that filling the hollow spaces of the blocks with all the lightweight composites and structural grout provided a better thermal performance than that of standard blocks, highlighting EPS as having the best performance. Thermal performance of the composite prisms confirms what was observed in the block specimens. Thus, new specimens were made maximizing the EPS content to 85% and 90%. Thermal analysis of these samples presented better results for EPS 90%. The increase in the EPS content decreased compression resistance and increased water absorption. However, as the focus is thermal performance and as the block filled with EPS composite (90%) meets the requirements of the standard, this may be an interesting solution.

Materiais aplicados na construção civil são importantes para fornecer segurança e conforto às pessoas. Quanto mais adequadas as propriedades térmicas, menos energia é necessária para aquecer ou resfriar uma área construída. A NBR 15575:2013 - Desempenho de Edificações Habitacionais, padronizou desempenhos térmicos para construções. Os blocos estruturais cerâmicos atendem o padrão mínimo, porém acredita-se que seu desempenho possa ser melhorado utilizando materiais de características isolantes dentro de seus furos verticais. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é investigar compósitos de matriz cimentícia com agregados leves para o aprimoramento térmico de blocos estruturais cerâmicos. Para o estudo, quatro corpos de prova foram produzidos preenchendo o vazado dos blocos com compósitos de matriz cimentícia utilizando 80% agregados leves (argila expandida, vermiculita, poliestireno expandido (EPS) e perlita expandida), 20% de cimento, além de uma amostra preenchida com graute estrutural que é comumente utilizado em edificações de alvenaria estrutural. Também foram produzidos corpos de prova com os compósitos, para a análise de massa específica, microscopia, resistência à compressão, absorção de água e desempenho térmico medido por termografia. Nos blocos, analisou-se massa final preenchido, absorção de água e desempenho térmico. No estudo termográfico, os blocos preenchidos foram comparados ao bloco cerâmico vazado padrão. Concluiu-se que o preenchimento dos vazados dos blocos com todos os compósitos leves e com o graute estrutural proporcionou um desempenho térmico melhor que o do bloco padrão, se destacando o EPS como melhor desempenho. O desempenho térmico dos prismas de compósitos confirmou o que foi observado nos corpos de prova de blocos. Assim foram feitos novos corpos de prova maximizando o teor de EPS para 85% e 90%. A análise térmica destas amostras apresentou melhor resultado para EPS 90%. O aumento do teor de EPS diminuiu a resistência à compressão e aumentou a absorção de água, porém, como o foco é o desempenho térmico e o bloco preenchido com o compósito EPS (90%) atende as características normativas, esta pode ser uma solução interessante. / Materials applied in civil construction are important to provide security and comfort to people. The more appropriate the thermal properties are, the less energy it is necessary to provide heat or cold to a constructed area. The NBR 15575:2013 standard, which deals with the Performance of Residential Constructions, has standardized thermal performances for buildings. Structural ceramic blocks meet the minimum standard, but it is believed that their performance can be improved by means of materials with isolating characteristics within their vertical holes. Thus, the aim of this paper is to investigate cementitious matrix composites with lightweight aggregates for thermal improvement of ceramic structural blocks. For the study, four specimens were produced by filling the hollow spaces of the blocks with cementitious matrix composites using 80% of lightweight aggregates (expanded clay, vermiculite, expanded polystyrene – EPS –, and expanded perlite), and 20% of cement. These were compared to a sample filled with structural grout, which is commonly used in structural masonry buildings. Specimens were also produced with the composites for specific mass analysis, microscopy, compression resistance, water absorption and thermal performance measured by thermography. In the blocks, the final, filled weight was analyzed, as well as water absorption and thermal performance. In the thermographic study, the filled blocks were compared to standard ceramic hollow blocks. It was concluded that filling the hollow spaces of the blocks with all the lightweight composites and structural grout provided a better thermal performance than that of standard blocks, highlighting EPS as having the best performance. Thermal performance of the composite prisms confirms what was observed in the block specimens. Thus, new specimens were made maximizing the EPS content to 85% and 90%. Thermal analysis of these samples presented better results for EPS 90%. The increase in the EPS content decreased compression resistance and increased water absorption. However, as the focus is thermal performance and as the block filled with EPS composite (90%) meets the requirements of the standard, this may be an interesting solution.

Unreinforced masonry (URM) walls are often used as load-bearing or infill walls in buildings in many countries. Such walls are also commonly found in existing and heritage buildings in Canada. URM walls are strong structural elements when subjected to axial loading, but are very vulnerable under out-of-plane loads. This type of loading may come from different sources , including seismic or blast events. When subjected to blast, wall elements experience large pressures on one of their faces due to the high pressure produced in the air when an explosion takes place. This wave of compressed air travels in a very short time and hits the wall causing immense stresses, which result in large shear and bending demands that may lead to wall failure, and the projection of debris at high velocities that can injure building occupants. This failure process is highly brittle due to the very low out-of-plane strength that characterize such walls. In the past years, many investigations have been carried out to enhance the structural behaviour of unreinforced masonry walls under out-of-plane loading. Different strengthening methods have been studied, which include the use of polyurea coatings, the application of advanced fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites or the use of concrete overlays in combination with high performance reinforcement. Fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) is a new composite material that overcomes some of the drawbacks of FRP. This composite material consists of applying coatings which consist of one or more layers of cement-based mortar reinforced with a corresponding open mesh of dry fibers (fabric). This material has been studied as a strengthening technique to improve in-plane and out-of-plane capacity of existing URM walls as well as other structural elements, mostly under seismic actions. This thesis presents an experimental and analytical study which investigates the effectiveness of using FRCM composites to improve the out-of-plane resistance of URM walls when subjected to blast loading. As part of the experimental program, three large-scale URM masonry walls were constructed and strengthened with 1,2 and 3 layers of FRCM using unidirectional carbon fabrics. In all cases the specimens were built as load-bearing concrete masonry (CMU) walls. To increase shear resistance, two of the walls were also grouted with a flowable self-compacting concrete (SCC) mortar. Blast tests were conducted using the University of Ottawa Shock Tube and the results are compared with control walls tested in previous research at the University of Ottawa. The experimental results show that the FRCM retrofit significantly improved the blast performance of the URM load-bearing walls, allowing for increased blast capacity and improved control of displacements. The performance of the retrofit was found to be dependent on the number of retrofit layers. As part of the analytical research, Single Degree of Freedom (SDOF) analysis was carried out to predict the blast behaviour of the strengthened walls. This was done by computing wall flexural strength using plane sectional analysis and developing idealized resistance curves for use in the SDOF analysis. In general, the analysis procedure is found to produce reasonably accurate results for both the resistance functions and wall mid-height displacements under blast loading.

Maintenance and rehabilitation of existing masonry and reinforced concrete structures are of great importance in the field of civil engineering. Due to deterioration and severe environment, numerous structures fail to meet functional or safety requirements, and as a result, they should be strengthened. Several methods have been utilized to repair the structures, including steel plate bonding, cable post-tensioning, and section enlargement. However, these methods bring disadvantages, such as significant added dead load and high labour cost. Therefore, externally bonding with composite materials has attracted considerable attention recently. Externally bonded fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets have been widely used to strengthen reinforced concrete and masonry structures. FRP has been a common method to provide a higher service life for structures for several decades. However, strengthening structural members with FRP introduces certain drawbacks, such as their poor performance in fire scenarios caused by the rapid softening of the polymer-based resin. An alternative strengthening system known as a fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) has been developed to address this issue by replacing resin-based material with an inorganic cementitious-based matrix. Nonetheless, the performance of FRCM at high temperatures has not been investigated sufficiently so far. Hence, this research focused on the mechanical behaviour of FRCM at high temperatures. This experimental research investigates the tensile performance of carbon FRCM at high temperatures. First, the temperature distribution within the specimens during heating was studied using nine specimens with one, two, or three layers to reveal the required time for the inner fabric to reach a steady temperature. Then, the tension and stiffness degradation of FRCM coupons were studied at different temperatures. A total of 84 FRCM coupons were fabricated and tested in tension; 60 of the tests were conducted at steady-state conditions in which temperature was held constant and load increased, and 24 specimens were carried out in transient-state tests, in which load was constant, and temperature grew. In order to provide a more comprehensive knowledge concerning the FRCM composite, some key variables were included in this research. These parameters are the number of layers (1, 2, 3) leading to different thicknesses (20, 30, 40 mm), the orientation of the fabric layer (unidirectional and bidirectional), target temperature (ambient, 100, 200, 300, 400°C), and heating condition (steady-state, transient state). These tests aimed to reveal the primary mechanical characteristics such as ultimate strength and cracked elastic modulus at different temperatures and compare them with control specimens tested at room temperature. With the increase in the number of fabric grids from one to two and three, the stress at failure decreased by about 11 and 18%, respectively. With regards to cracked elastic modulus two and three-layered specimens showed 18 and 20% reduction in value. It is also noteworthy to mention that overall load capacity of specimens rose with the increase in number of layers; however, due to the more significant increase in area, the stress was reduced. The same decreases in the cracked elastic modulus and ultimate strength were observed as the target temperature increased. Increasing the temperature to 400°C led to a decrease in ultimate strength and cracked elastic modulus of approximately 60 to 70%. Furthermore, the bidirectional specimens showed a better behaviour than unidirectional specimens in terms of ultimate strength; however, their cracked elastic moduli were almost the same. With regards to the transient-state tests, as the material became thicker, the failure temperature increased considerably. For instance, a 20-mm specimen failed at 467°C with a 20% sustained load, while a 30-mm specimen failed at 558°C. Another vital parameter studied in transient-state tests was the decrease in temperature with the increase in sustained load. An example of this is the 20-mm specimens which failed at 352 and 258°C, while they were preloaded to 40 and 60% of their capacities. The conclusions of this study suggest that FRCM materials do retain a non-negligible strength capacity at high temperatures. However, further investigations to reveal FRCM bond behaviour and retrofitted structural members at high temperatures are still required to provide comprehensive knowledge.

[pt] A utilização de materiais de construção civil a base de cimento reforçado com fibras vem aumentando rapidamente nos últimos anos. No Brasil um vasto programa experimental para avaliar o comportamento mecânico desses materiais através de ensaios de flexão monotônicos e de compressão, vem sendo desenvolvidos na PUC/RIO desde 1979. Este trabalho procura dar continuidade a essa linha de pesquisa, sendo o primeiro a estudar o comportamento em fadiga de compósitos cimentícios reforçados com polpa de bambu, através de curvas de vida-fadiga S-N e da cinética de crescimento de trincas. As curvas S-N foram levantadas para compósitos entalhados e não entalhados, contendo 6% em massa de polpa em relação a massa de cimento. Essas curvas foram modeladas, com base nas propriedades mecânicas básicas levantadas nos ensaios de compressão e flexão. Com o objetivo de verificar a aplicabilidade da lei de Paris à cinética de crescimento de trincas de fadiga nesses compósitos, foi levantada a relação entre o comprimento da trinca a e o número de ciclos N durante a propagação estável da mesma, adotando-se teores de reforço de 6 e 14% em relação a massa de cimento. Finalmente as superfícies de fratura foram avaliadas por meio de microscópio eletrônico de varredura. / [en] The use of fiber reinforced cementious composites as construction materials in civil engineering has rapidly grown in the last few years. In Brasil, a large experimental program for evaluating the mechanical behavior of these materials has been developed in PUC-RIO since 1979. The present study has the purpose of evaluating the fatigue behavior of cementitious composites by means of determining the S-N curves for notched and unnotched specimens. The fatigue curves were modeled using basic mechanical properties determined by means of compression and slow bend tests. With the purpose of verifying the applicability of Paris law to the fatigue crack growth kinetics, the crack length was determined as a function of the number of cycles N during stable crack propagation, for composites containing 6% and 14% weight percentage of bamboo pulp relative to the weight of cement. Finally, the fracture surface was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo identificar e analisar parâmetros que influenciam a aderência de matrizes cimentícias a substratos apontando soluções técnicas para a melhoria de tal propriedade. Para tanto, foram desenvolvidos três estudos independentes: primeiro, a elaboração e validação de um modelo matemático com base na restrição geométrica para verificar a contribuição da penetração de partículas em meios porosos. O modelo considera que, após serem lançadas sobre a superfície, as partículas com área de projeção no plano menor ou igual à área do poro podem penetrá-la; segundo, um estudo experimental comparando substratos cimentícios com mesmas características topográficas (rugosidade/porosidade) e diferentes níveis de absorção obtidos mediante tratamentos superficiais: aplicação de silano e lixamento para verificar o efeito da absorção do substrato. O controle da absorção foi realizado por medições do ângulo de contato aparente e ensaios de absortividade; e por último, a influência do teor de ligante da matriz foi avaliada pela substituição de 30% e 60% do cimento por finos calcários, com duas distribuições granulométricas, em argamassas aplicadas sobre blocos cerâmicos. O efeito da aglomeração de partículas foi estudado pela adição de dispersante a base de policarboxilato num teor de 0,02% em relação ao volume total de sólidos. As características reológicas das argamassas foram medidas por reometria rotacional. O desempenho mecânico da interface matriz-substrato foi avaliado pela resistência de aderência ä tração. Os resultados mostraram que a aderência depende de parâmetros mais complexos que a simples absorção do substrato e, consequente ancoragem mecânica pela penetração de partículas nos poros. O uso de partículas finas associadas a dispersantes e tratamentos superficiais do substrato aumentaram aderência pelo acréscimo de contato matriz-substrato. / This study aims to identify and analyse parameters that influence the adhesion among cementitious matrices and substrates pointing out technical solutions to improve this property. The research has been developed by means of three independent studies. The first one concerns the development and validation of a mathematical model, based on geometric constraints, for the estimation of the particles potential penetration in porous media. The model considers particles with projected area less than or equal to the pore area can penetrate the pore. The second study is an experimental comparison among cementitious substrates with same porosity and roughness and different levels of absorption achieved by surface treatment. The application of abrasive methods and a water repellent have been used to manage the effect of the absorption of substrates. The control of wettability and absorption has been carried out by measuring the apparent contact angle and sorptivity. The third one regards the evaluation of binders content in cementitious matrices. Mortars, with two different limestone fines, have been made and applied on red ceramic substrates (clay bricks). The limestone fines, with two different particle size distributions, have been added at rates of 30% and 60% as replacement of binders volume. The agglomeration of particles has been assessed adding a polycarboxylate type admixture (0.02% of total solids volume), whereas the rheological behavior have been determined using a rotational rheometer. The performance of interface between matrix and substrate has been determined measuring the tensile adhesive strength. Results showed that the adhesion depends on parameters more complex than the simple absorption of substrate and the consequent mechanical interlocking of particles into pores. The use of fine particles, combined with the dispersant and with the silane surface treatment increased the adhesion through the increase of the contact area.

This paper focuses on two experimental methods that give indicators linked to the impregnation level of the yarn / matrix interface, in the case of Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC). These methods have been tested on three different glass yarns laid in a cementitious matrix, with three different impregnation levels resulting from the manufacturing process. The first method (comparative mercury intrusion porosity test) is based on the evaluation by mercury intrusion porosity of the pores volume associated to the porosity inside and near the yarn. The second method (flow test) consists in measuring the flow rate of water along the yarn, with imposed flow conditions. The physical parameters measured by these two methods are both related to the pore size and to the porosity of the yarn / matrix interface. The results of the two methods are discussed and drawn in parallel to a qualitative characterization of the yarn matrix interface made by scanning electron microscopy. As a result, the connection between the results of the two methods and the SEM characterization is studied. It is shown how these methods can participate to characterize the yarn impregnation. Limitations of the methods are also discussed.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo identificar e analisar parâmetros que influenciam a aderência de matrizes cimentícias a substratos apontando soluções técnicas para a melhoria de tal propriedade. Para tanto, foram desenvolvidos três estudos independentes: primeiro, a elaboração e validação de um modelo matemático com base na restrição geométrica para verificar a contribuição da penetração de partículas em meios porosos. O modelo considera que, após serem lançadas sobre a superfície, as partículas com área de projeção no plano menor ou igual à área do poro podem penetrá-la; segundo, um estudo experimental comparando substratos cimentícios com mesmas características topográficas (rugosidade/porosidade) e diferentes níveis de absorção obtidos mediante tratamentos superficiais: aplicação de silano e lixamento para verificar o efeito da absorção do substrato. O controle da absorção foi realizado por medições do ângulo de contato aparente e ensaios de absortividade; e por último, a influência do teor de ligante da matriz foi avaliada pela substituição de 30% e 60% do cimento por finos calcários, com duas distribuições granulométricas, em argamassas aplicadas sobre blocos cerâmicos. O efeito da aglomeração de partículas foi estudado pela adição de dispersante a base de policarboxilato num teor de 0,02% em relação ao volume total de sólidos. As características reológicas das argamassas foram medidas por reometria rotacional. O desempenho mecânico da interface matriz-substrato foi avaliado pela resistência de aderência ä tração. Os resultados mostraram que a aderência depende de parâmetros mais complexos que a simples absorção do substrato e, consequente ancoragem mecânica pela penetração de partículas nos poros. O uso de partículas finas associadas a dispersantes e tratamentos superficiais do substrato aumentaram aderência pelo acréscimo de contato matriz-substrato. / This study aims to identify and analyse parameters that influence the adhesion among cementitious matrices and substrates pointing out technical solutions to improve this property. The research has been developed by means of three independent studies. The first one concerns the development and validation of a mathematical model, based on geometric constraints, for the estimation of the particles potential penetration in porous media. The model considers particles with projected area less than or equal to the pore area can penetrate the pore. The second study is an experimental comparison among cementitious substrates with same porosity and roughness and different levels of absorption achieved by surface treatment. The application of abrasive methods and a water repellent have been used to manage the effect of the absorption of substrates. The control of wettability and absorption has been carried out by measuring the apparent contact angle and sorptivity. The third one regards the evaluation of binders content in cementitious matrices. Mortars, with two different limestone fines, have been made and applied on red ceramic substrates (clay bricks). The limestone fines, with two different particle size distributions, have been added at rates of 30% and 60% as replacement of binders volume. The agglomeration of particles has been assessed adding a polycarboxylate type admixture (0.02% of total solids volume), whereas the rheological behavior have been determined using a rotational rheometer. The performance of interface between matrix and substrate has been determined measuring the tensile adhesive strength. Results showed that the adhesion depends on parameters more complex than the simple absorption of substrate and the consequent mechanical interlocking of particles into pores. The use of fine particles, combined with the dispersant and with the silane surface treatment increased the adhesion through the increase of the contact area.