Strengthening of brick masonry using biaxial polypropylene geogrid as confinement reinforcement

Recent and past earthquakes have once again reiterated the requirement of strengthening the masonry structures to withstand both in-plane and out-of-plane loads. In this experimental investigation, biaxial polypropylene geogrid was used as a confinement reinforcement on the surfaces to strengthen masonry specimens. The masonry specimens without and with geogrid have been subjected to a compression test, flexural bond strength test and diagonal tension (shear) test as per IS 1905, ASTM E518 and ASTM E519, respectively. From the results, it has been found that biaxial polypropylene geogrid significantly enhances the strength in masonry specimens with geogrid and also reduces crack propagation in all three tests. The relationship between compressive strength and flexural bond strength, compressive strength and shear strength of masonry specimens with geogrid has been established. Furthermore, based on the cost analysis of various strengthening techniques, it was concluded that the use of biaxial polypropylene geogrid is an economically feasible alternative to other reinforcing materials, such as stainless-steel wire mesh and polyester geogrid.