Performance of masonry elements strengthened with steel reinforced grout (SRG)

Brick elements are usually used in several civil applications with different aims. However they are basically used to obtain elements able to bear compressive stresses as structural walls and vaults or with a secondary role in the building’s concrete or steel-reinforced floors. This paper presents an experimental study aimed at investigating the efficiency of a new strengthening system, made either of perforated or full masonry brick elements strengthened with Steel Reinforced Grout (SRG), able to replace usual RC or steel elements used in housebuilding. This system combines, the performances of this new family of composite materials, reducing installation and material costs, and inducing an increase of ductility particularly when a cementitious matrix is used, to the traditional advantages proper of Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP). This led to the opportunity to have structural elements (as SRG masonry reinforced walls or SRG masonry reinforced beams for floors and roofs) with more capable resistant section, whose length is not limited by the maximum sizes of brick elements (2 meters), obtained through the alternation of SRG layers and brick elements (Lamellar Multilayered Brick Elements). In this way, in order to clarify the behaviour of these elements, a comprehensive study, based on analytical models and experimental tests, is here presented. Particularly the first results of a set of three beams realized with three layers of bricks and SRG layers will be presented. These tests, conducted under a four point bending test layout, will show the performance and the good behaviour of this new structural system.