Tangential Adhesive Strength of the Masonry with PET-Fibres Modified Mortar

Abstract

The normal and tangential adhesive strength between bricks and mortar in bed joints is the main parameter that determines the performance of masonry under biaxial stress conditions. This research aims to determine the possibility of increasing the tangential adhesive strength (shear) of masonry by using mortars reinforced with PET fibres obtained from recycled plastic bottles. Shear tests are proposed on simplified brick masonry specimens made with mortars containing PET fibres in percentages of 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% of the mass of cement and sand. It has been determined that the addition of PET fibres in percentages no greater than 1% increases the tangential bond strength. The addition of 0.5% PET fibres increases the tangential adhesive strength by 37% and 1% PET by 60%, while the addition of 1.5% PET fibres decreases the studied strength by 22.86%.