Variability of the Pull-off Technique for Adhesion Strength Evaluation on Ceramic Tile Claddings

Abstract

The periodic assessment of claddings adhesion during the facade life cycle becomes an important preventive in-service issue. This paper discusses the pull-off test, an in-situ diagnosis technique, which characterizes the in-service performance of ceramic tile claddings, by measuring adherence resistance to tension. Adherence is one of the main required properties of external coating, not only for aesthetical reasons but also for safety purposes. Throughout this research, an experimental campaign is performed in laboratory and in-situ, analyzing the variability of the pull-off testing technique. In-situ tests have been undertaken in existing construction sites and test walls. The laboratory results were compared to the in-situ ones. Standards requirements were evaluated and different failure modes were verified. In this work the impact of several parameters is analyzed such as the use of metallic discs with different thickness levels, geometries and dimensions; the location of the testing at different heights; and the use of different dynamometer equipment. The main conclusion of this work is in order to reduce the uncertainty of the in-service diagnosis used for decision process of facade interventions, the previous parameters should be taking into account despite pull-off being a standardized technique.

The evaluation of von Mises stress field in bonded tiling ceramics as function of the elastic modulus of the tile-adhesive and joint grout mortars

“…A similar observation reports to the render or concrete cases, this turn with values higher than 1 MPa, again above typical experimental results directly measured at these support levels. 5 , 21 , 22 Such results suggest the potential need to evaluate the developed model by applying an experimental approach in parallel that could provide a correction factor to it.…”

Construction Products between Testing Laboratory and Market Surveillance: Case study of Cementitious Ceramic Tile Adhesives

“…The tensile adhesion strength test is widely used in construction, as is the pull-off technique. Variability of the pull-off method for adhesion strength evaluation is known [ 53 ]. Measurement of tensile adhesion strength represents a destructive test.…”

Assessment of the Constancy of Performance of Cementitious Adhesives for Ceramic Tiles: Analysis of the Test Results Commissioned by Polish Market Surveillance Authorities

“…In the authors' opinion, the research method proposed by them corresponds well to the real effects that the cementitious CTAs are subjected to under operating conditions. Similarly to other experimental tests, the determination of the tensile adhesion strength is characterized by the dispersion of the obtained results [21][22][23].…”