Recent Advances in Environmental and Biological Engineering

Comparative Study on Reinforced Masonry with Polymer Grids

CALBUREANU POPESCU MADALINA XENIA, CODITA ALINA
Department of Applied Mechanics and Civil Engineering
University of Craiova
Address 107 Calea Bucuresti st.,200512 CRAIOVA - Dolj
ROMANIA
madalina.calbureanu@gmail.com, alinacodita@yahoo.com
Abstract: This paper concerns a comparative study, in terms of energy, on two types of masonry pillars: simple
unreinforced masonry and reinforced masonry with polymer grids. Energy issues relate to mechanical work,
embedded caloric energy and strain energy. Is also highlighted the bearing capacity increase in case of the
masonry reinforcement with polymer grids.
Key-Words: masonry, reinforcement, embedded energy, polymer grills, bearing capacity, ergonomics

1 Introduction

The article relates to the use of polymeric grids for

the brickwork reinforcement, in order to improve its
performances.
On this line, the paper approaches two models of
masonry (pillars), with dimensions 375x375x874
mm, both of them made of double pressed bricks
with lime-cement mortar. One model is simple,
unreinforced masonry and other is reinforced
masonry with polymeric grids at 3 rows.
The approach is in terms of ergonomics, embedded
energy, strength and stiffness.

Fig. 1. The geometrical characteristics of polymer

grids (source: [1])

3. Ergonomics

Ergonomics synthesize principles of other sciences,

for their application in labors optimization and for
the growth of work productivity. [7]
In order to determine the amount of energy required
to construct masonry pillars (375x375x874), the
mechanical work is calculated considering the
materials movement for 1m distance.
The masonry volume is 0.123 m3.
The specific weight of solid brick masonry with
lime-cement mortar is 18 kN/m3.
The mechanical work for building a pillar is:
W = 18 kN/m3 x 0,123 m3 = 221,2 J
(1)

2 Materials

Materials used are: bricks, mortar and polymer

grids.

2.1. The Bricks and the Mortar

The solid bricks dimensions are: 240x120x60 and

the strength is 7.5 MPa.
The mortar for joints is M10Z lime-cement.

2.2. The Polimeric Reinforcement

As polymer reinforcement, three types of grids

made under the license of Tensar International
Limited in England [1] have been used: RG 20, RG
30 and RG 40. [2]
The three types of grids differ in the resistance
characteristics.

Mass of the polymer grids: 1 m2 weighs:

RG 20 - 0,2 kg
RG30 - 0,3 kg
RG40 - 0,45 kg
For reinforcing at 3 rows are used 0,54 m2 of
polymer grids.
The result is in the following table:
Table 1 The mechanical work for the pillars
reinforced with three types of polymer grids

Type of grid
RG 20

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123

Mechanical work
(J)
222.2

Recent Advances in Environmental and Biological Engineering

RG 30
RG 40

Mechanical work (J)

250

In masonry, bricks occupies 85% of the total

volume, and the mortar 15%.

222.7
223.4

222,2

221,2

Tabel3. Energy embedded in a cubic meter of solid

brick masonry with M10Z mortar

223,4

222,7

Embedded energy in
mortar
MJ/ m3

200

150

2237

100

50

4506

4193

4.4. The Reinforced Masonry with Polymer

Grids
Unreinforced
masonry

Reinforced
masonry with
RG20

Reinforced
masonry with
RG30

In the following table has been calculated energy

embedded in a square meter of different polymeric
grid types:

Reinforced
masonry with
RG40

Fig. 2. The mechanical work for the two situations:

unreinforced masonry and reinforced masonry with
three types of grids

Table 4. Quantity of primary energy contained by

the polymer grid
Type of Polymer grid
The total amount of
polymer
weight embedded primary energy
grid
(kg/m2)
(MJ/m2)
RG 20
0,2
100,8
RG 30
0,3
109,2
RG 40
0,45
121,8

4. Embedded Energy in Materials

4.1. The Bricks

From the point of view of the embedded energy, the

values extend over a wider range, depending on the
manufacturing technology. [3] The table below
presents the amount of power calculated for 1 m3 of
solid bricks.[4]
Table 2. The solid bricks
Bricks specific Bricks
weight
density
(kN/m3)
(kg/m3)
18

Embedded energy
Total
in the solid bricks
3
MJ/m
MJ/m3

1834,9

To determine the amount of primary embedded

energy in reinforced masonry is totalized the
embedded simple brickwork energy with the energy
embedded in polymer grids. Result in the following
table:

The medium energy

content of solid brick
(MJ/m3)

Table 5 The embedded primary energy for 1 m3 of

reinforced masory
Type of The amount of
The amount of total
polymer embedded
embedded primary
grid primary energy
energy for the
(MJ/m2)
reinforced masory
(MJ/m3)
RG 20
100,8
4248.2
RG 30
109,2
4281.8
RG 40
121,8
4332.2

4506

4.2. The Mortar

The amount of raw energy required to manufacture

a cubic meter of mortar is obtained as sum of the
quantities of primary energy embodied in the
materials that make up the mortar, with the added
energy required to transport and mix the
components.
For the mortar M10Z is necessary an average
primary embedded energy of 2237 MJ/m3.

4.5. Plain and Reinforced at 3 Rows Masonry

Pillars

The amount of embedded energy in the unreinforced

masonry pillar is 515.3 MJ.
The amount of energy embedded in the reinforced
masonry pillars with 3 types of grids in the
following table:

4.3 The Masonry

The total amount of primary energy embedded in a

cubic meter of masonry was obtained by summing
up the bricks energy content with the energy
embedded in mortar.

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Recent Advances in Environmental and Biological Engineering

compression, and about 30% increase of bearing

capacity.
Axial compression results are presented in the
following figures:

Table 6 The embedded primary energy in the

reinforced masonry pillars
Type of The amount of
The amount of total
polymer embedded
embedded primary
grid primary energy
energy for the
(MJ/m2)
reinforced masory
(MJ/m3)
RG 20
100,8
522.1
RG 30
109,2
526.3
RG 40
121,8
532.5

Energy embedded in pillars

(MJ)

600

515,3

522,1

526,3

532,5

500
400
300
200
100
0

Unreinforced
pillar

Reinforced pillar Reinforced pillar Reinforced pillar

with RG20
with RG30
with RG40

Fig. 3. The embedded energy in the masonry pillars

Fig.4. Axial
masonry

compression

tests,

unreinforced

5. Laboratory Tests
The starting point of this study were the static tests
performed in the laboratory of Earthquake
Engineering of INCERC Iasi, using the AMSLER
400 press with mechanical and electronic
transducers. [5]
Static tests were performed on several models
pillars of 375x375x874 mm.
Execution was manually without supervision, so the
usual standard of quality.
The pillars were tested for axial compression as
follows:
- Three simple masonry pillars, as witnesses
- Three armed to 3 joints, namely, 2.6 and 10 joints.
The polymer grid was RG40.
The pillars were not plastered.
All the six pillars were tried to the ultimate state
limit.
Polymeric grids embedded in mortar in horizontal
joints reduce its lateral deformations but bricks are
free to deform under the vertical forces.
The results have a wide range of spreading because
of the uneven quality of materials and workmanship.
Still, the six curves configurations show a typical
ductile behavior of the pillars subjected to axial

ISBN: 978-1-61804-259-0

Fig. 5. Axial compression tests, reinforced masonry

6. Stiffness

Masonry is an elastic-plastic material, which

tension-strain characteristic curve - for brick with
cement mortar, has a characteristic aspect (Fig. 4).

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Recent Advances in Environmental and Biological Engineering

The deformations of masonry due, in most part, to

he mortar in the horizontal joints; close to
breakage, 90% of deformation is due to the mortar
and 10% to the blocks, although they cover about
85% of the volume of the masonry. If more
deformable mortars (lime, mixed with low dosage
of cement etc.) the contact with the blocks is more
uniform and masonrys deformations are mostly
influenced by the thick horizontal joints.
The total specific deformation , corresponding to a
compression stress , can be decomposed into two
parts, one elastic e, which is canceled after the
removal of external action, and other plastic,
remanent p.
= e + p
(2)

Rn
6.5

E ( )

(3)

E ( )

d
d is the modulus of elasticity,

where
variable in relation to the loading step.
Relation (3) becomes:

lim

E0

Rn
d
0 0,9 0,9 E0
1

Rn

Rn

0,9

dx

1 x

(4)

It appears:

lim 2,56

1
ln
0,9

1
0,9
1
Rn

(8)

(9)

Table 7 The theoretical calculation for the curve

- of simple masonry

The specific deformation limit lim corresponding to

the normalized resistance Rn is obtained by
integration:
Rn

1
0,9
1
Rn

From the previous relations for simple masonry with

6.5 MPa limit strength obtains:

6.1. The Strain Energy Calculation for

Unreinforced Masonry

lim

Rn
ln
0,9 E 0

Eo=Rn
4875

0
0,5
1
1,5
2
2,5
3
3,5
4
4,5
5
5,5
6
6,5
7
7,2
7,22

E()
4875
4537,5
4200
3862,5
3525
3187,5
2850
2512,5
2175
1837,5
1500
1162,5
825
487,5
150
15
1,5

()
0
0,106287
0,220793
0,344897
0,480355
0,629457
0,795261
0,981988
1,195691
1,445502
1,746156
2,123774
2,63184
3,411237
5,157393
8,56863
11,97987

Rn
E0

(5)
The initial modulus of elasticity E0expresses as a
function of the masonry resistance Rn, as
follows:

E 0 Rn

[MPa]
(6)
where is the feature of the masonrys elasticity,
depending to the blocks and the type of mortar,
with values ranging between 400 and 2000.
According to the characteristic of elasticity ,
equation (5) becomes:

lim r

2,56
1

0,4

Fig.6 Simple masonry - curve for 6.5 MPa

limit resistance

(7)
The equation of the characteristic curve - of the
compressed masonry is obtained analytically in one
of the following forms:

ISBN: 978-1-61804-259-0

Using MATHCAD program, it was determined the

area bounded by the curve - and axis. This is the
specific strain energy for the curve calculated above.

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Recent Advances in Environmental and Biological Engineering

According to Clapeyron's theorem, for a solid body

at rest, the deformation potential energy stored in
the body is equal to the work of external forces due
to deformation of the body.
The area bounded by the graph and axis is the
deformation energy.
6.5
=
0.9 4875

1 0.9

6.5

a = 187,5 mm, b = 5 mm, n = 3

RG20, RG30, RG40
E0 = 5,710 GPa
Results = 37,5 and the following values for the
compressive force: P n

(11)

where a / b is a raport,
R (kN/m) [20, 30, 40] RG20, RG30, RG40
(RG=RichterGard)[6]

= 7.166 10

(10)
where w is the specific deformation energy of
simple masonry with Rn = 6.5 MP.

Table 8 Values for the compressive force

n
E0
RG
P
(GPa)
(kN/m) (MN/m)
3
5,71
20
1,2
30
1,8
40
2,4

6.2. The Strain Energy Calculation for the

Reinforced Masonry with Polymer Grids
Heterogeneous materials may be studied using
homogenization techniques that permit the
definition of a homogeneous body, equivalent to a
strongly heterogeneous one in its geometry and in
the properties of its constituent materials [7].
In order to determine the strain energy for the
reinforced masonry with polymer grids are
necessary the following elements:
a - the half thickness of the structural element
(pillar)
a (mm) [50, 150], a = 10 mm;
b - the half thickness of the mortar in a joint
b (mm) [1, 20], b = 1 mm;
n - number of grids in the mortar,
n [1, 25], n = 1
P - axial compressive force
P (kN/m) [1, 1000], P = 1 kN
R gridsendurance

p=P/a
(MPa)
6,5
9,8
13,0

Takeing into consideration the variation of -

equation by the same law as the simple brickwork
(homogeneous material), can obtain:

Rn
ln
0,9 E0

1
0,9
1
Rn

(12)

Table 9. The specific deformation () of a the

three joints reinforced pillar with RG20, RG30
and RG40

(MPa) (RG20) (RG30) (RG40)

0
0
0
0
0,5
0,09074 0,08965 0,0891
1
0,1885 0,18375 0,1815
2
0,41008 0,38721
0,377
3
0,67889 0,61512 0,5889
4
1,02064 0,8742
0,8202
5
1,49031 1,17431 1,0747
6
2,24551 1,53096 1,3578
6,5
2,90928 1,73803 1,5121
7
1,9705
1,6765
8
2,54351 2,0413
9
3,36827 2,4676
9,5
3,97113 2,7111
9,75
4,36391 2,8423
10
2,9806
12
4,491
13
5,8186

Fig.7 Reinforced masonry with polymer grids

Considering

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R
2

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Recent Advances in Environmental and Biological Engineering

deformation capacity is 25%, while the maximum

stress increases by 25%.

7. CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions can be drawn:
1. In terms of ergonomics, by comparing the
resulting values of mechanical work, can be
observed an increase by 0.4% for the reinforced
pillars with RG 20, 0.7% for the reinforced pillars
with RG 30 and 1% for the reinforced pillars with
RG 40 versus unreinforced pillars.
2. From the point of view of embedded caloric
energy, results an increase of 1.3% in the case of
RG 20 reinforced pillars, 2.1% in the case of RG30
reinforced pillars and 3.3% in the case of RG 40
reinforced pillars, compared to the energy
embedded in unreinforced pillars.
3. Laboratory tests showed an increase bearing
capacity by approximately 30% by reinforcing
pillars with polymeric grille.
4. Compared to the unreinforced pillars, the
increasing of deformation energy was by 290%
when reinforcing with RG20, by 793% when
reinforcing with RG30 and by 1477% when
reinforcing with RG40.
In conclusion, one can notice the improvement of
strength and stiffness properties of reinforced
masonry with polymer grids in the context of a
relatively small increase in energy embodied in
materials and workmanship.

Fig.8 - curve of reinforced masonry in three

rows, with three types of polymer reinforcement
By integrating the curve () between 0 and
maximum resistance:

10.8

16.3

1 0.9

10.8
0.9 3440
1

1 0.9

16.3
0.9 3440

= 0.028

(13)

= 0.064

(14)

In case of reinforcement with three types of grids,

differences between deformations are large. Thus
between reinforcement with RG20 and with RG30,
for an increase of maximum effort by 34%,
maximum deformation capacity increases by about
35%.
.

21.7

1 0.9

21.7
0.9 3440

= 0.113

(15)

0,113

0,12

Deformation energy
(M/m3)

References:
[1] http://tensar.co.uk
[2] Sofronie, R., Feodorov, V. Procedeu de armare
si consolidare a zidriilor cu grile sintetice.
Brevet de invenie OSIM nr. 112373 B1 (1995)
[3] Radu, A. si colab. Contribuii la stabilirea
consumului de energie n sectorul de
construcii, Construcii, nr. 10/1980, pp.3-9.
[4] Codi Alina, The performances of the
reinforcement procedures with polymeric grids
of brick masonries, Doctoral thesys, 2011
[5] Sofronie, R. Manual RichterGard. TOTAL
Publishing, Bucharest 2004.
[6] Sofronie, R. Performances in seismic
strengthening of masonry. The 13th World Conf.
on Earthquake Engineering. Vancouver, B.C.,
Canada August1-6, 2004. Paper No. 182.
[7] A. Barbieri, A. Cecchi - Analysis of masonry
columns by a 3D F.E.M. homogenization procedure,
2nd IASME/WSEAS Int. Conf. on Continuum
Mechanics (CM'07), Portoroz, Slovenia, May 15-17,
2007

0,1
0,08

0,064

0,06
0,04
0,02
0

0,028
0,007166
Unreinforced Reinforced pillar Reinforced pillar Reinforced pillar
pillar
with RG20
with RG30
with RG40

Fig. 9 The deformation energy in the masonry

pillars
Comparing
between
RG30
and
RG40
reinforcements, the increase of the maximum

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