Pull-out testing of near surface mounted steel wire rope in unreinforced masonry

Abstract

The use of steel wire rope (SWR) as a near surface mounted (NSM) seismic retrofit technology potentially provides a cost-effective solution to improve the seismic performance of clay-brick unreinforced masonry structures. To establish design guidance for the proposed NSM-SWR technique, the bond strength between SWR and clay-brick substrate was investigated by means of a series of pull-out tests. Various parameters were investigated, including SWR diameter, groove dimensions, SWR bonded length, and adhesive type (i.e., epoxy, cement-based grout, and limebased grout). NSM-SWR was adhered to an assemblage of solid clay bricks and subjected to monotonic pull-out tests. Pull-out strength and displacement response were investigated using parametric analysis, and the results are presented herein.