Seismic Behavior of Stone Masonry Joints with ECC as a Filling Material

Abstract

This paper investigates the seismic behavior of novel stone masonry joints using ductile engineered cementitious composite (ECC) as a substitute for ordinary mortar. Ten stone masonry joints with different types of mortar/ECC were tested under axial and cyclic loads. The filling materials of mortar joints tested included ordinary mortar, polymer mortar, ECC, and composite mortar with two combination proportions of ECC and ordinary mortar. The test results indicated that ECC specimens exhibited a more stable hysteretic response as well as an improvement in strength, deformation, energy dissipation, and strength degradation. The ECC mortar joints maintained integrity during the entire loading process due to the “self-confinement” effect of ECC. A partial substitution of mortar with ECC could provide effective reinforcement and confinement to prevent mortar failure and peeling, thereby allowing such specimens to approach the seismic performance of ECC specimens. Based on the trend of shear strength variations, a corresponding failure process is defined for ECC/mortar joints under cyclic and axial compressive loads, including four distinct stages: linear elastic, crack-developing stage, interface debonding, and friction sliding. New equations are proposed for predicting the shear strength and residual shear strength of the ECC/mortar joints on the basis of the test results, which are validated in the composite mortar specimens.

Effects of Graphene Oxide and Crumb Rubber on the Fresh Properties of Self-Compacting Engineered Cementitious Composite Using Response Surface Methodology

“…One such quest for improved materials yielded engineered cementitious composite (ECC). ECC, also known as bendable concrete, is a highly ductile composite with a strain capacity of 3–8% with the ability to withstand loads above the initial cracking stress and exhibit strain hardening behavior [ 4 , 5 ]. This behavior is attributed to the composite’s ability to develop and propagate saturated steady-state microcracks with a width of less than 100 μm.…”

“…ECC is mainly utilized for repair and retrofitting works, although many attempts are being made to improve its properties for structural purposes [ 4 , 9 , 10 ]. In this regard, researchers have discovered that incorporating CR in ECC improves energy absorption, enhances microcrack formation and ductility, and leads to better durability properties [ 4 , 5 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. In addition, CR is reported to prevent explosive spalling of ECC at elevated temperatures by melting and providing escape routes for the vapor pressure.…”