The effect of the strengthening of AAC masonry walls using FRCM system

Abstract

This paper describes results from testing the tensile strength of compressed masonry walls strengthened with fiber-reinforced cement matrix [FRCM] system on one side, both sides, or without any strengthening. Test models were prepared from masonry units made of autoclaved aerated concrete SOLBET OPTIMAL 4/600. Walls were built with a ready-mixed mortar for thin layer joints of class M5, without fi lling head joints. PBO fi bre grids embedded in a mineral matrix were used as superfi cial strengthening. Lateral surfaces of masonry walls were strengthened with ready-mixed mortar PBO-MX GOLD MASONRY with embedded grid PBO--MESH GOLD 22/22. Then, the surface layer of ready-mix mortar PBO-MX GOLD MASONRY was applied. The used superfi cial strengthening provided an additional strengthening of the cracked models and their safer behaviour after failure.