SUSTAINABILITY IN RETROFITTING: THE ROLE OF FERROCEMENT IN STRENGTHENING BRICK MASONRY BUILDING

Abstract

The use of ferro cement for brick masonry retrofitting is the subject of this study. Perhaps the earliest material created by humans for building construction is brick. The compressive strength of the mortar and bricks employed determines the strength of brick masonry. The main application for brick masonry is as load- bearing walls to support vertical loads. There is a lot of current study on the rehabilitation of ancient and damaged brick masonry. Encasing these masonry walls with ferro cement is one way to strengthen or improve them. The current study aims to ascertain if encasing damaged brick masonry walls with ferrocement increases their load-bearing capability. Brick masonry walls with various forms, bonding, and techniques for fastening mesh for ferrocement were examined in this study. Fifteen samples were prepared. The wall is 18 inches tall, 18 inches long, 4.5 inches wide, and has a 2-inch cement coating at the top and bottom. There are six control samples: two for compression, two for diagonal, two for flexural or out- of-plan loads, and three for restricted. Additionally, mesh has been used in several samples with a diameter of 10 mm and a thickness of 1 mm. Crack pattern, crack width, first crack load, and maximum load were all noted. The results indicate a significant increase in load at the first fracture and final load following

encasement.

Keywords : Strength, Brick masonry, Encase, Ferrocement