Strengthening of Unreinforced Brick Masonry Panel Using Cast-in-Place and Precast Textile-Reinforced Concrete

Textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) has found extensive attention as a promising material for structural strengthening of masonry structures. In the present paper, a first-of-its kind of the study of bonding of precast TRC laminates was compared with cast-in-place TRC strengthening for masonry wall panels. TRC consists of a high early strength developing binder and an alkali-resistant glass textile reinforcement. Characterization studies were carried out to determine the strength development pattern for the binder as the age progresses. Uniaxial test has been carried out to understand the tensile behaviour of TRC that has implications in structural strengthening. Based on the studies, an optimal textile reinforcement ratio and the corresponding number of layers of textile to be used in the TRC have been arrived for strengthening of brick masonry panels. Strengthened and unstrengthened brick masonry panels were experimentally tested under the combined effect of axial compression and shear. The results indicate that there is an increase in stiffness, ultimate load and a significant reduction in the lateral deflection for the strengthened panels compared to unstrengthened panels. Brick masonry strengthening methodology using precast TRC laminates bonding exhibited promising results compared to cast-in-place TRC strengthening.