DETERMINATION OF BEARING CAPACITY OF
UNREINFORCED AND REINFORCED MASONRY COLUMNS
ACCORDING TO EUROCODE 6
PhD Thesis abstract
author of the thesis:
ENG. NIKOLAY DIMITROV BOGDANOV
Scientific advisor:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Nikoleta Barakova
INTRODUCTION
The problems with strengthening of existing structures are getting more and more
important nowadays. Ensuring of the bearing capability of large number of
masonry structures determines development of various methods for their
restoration, reconstruction and strengthening. The partial or full restoration of the
bearing capability depends on the reasons for its decreasing and relates to the
choice of possible technical solution, technology and means for implementation.
In Bulgaria one of the most popular types of structures of existing buildings are
masonry buildings. Most of these structures are designed in accordance with older
standards or are not designed at all.
The aim of the thesis is to show the influence of the effect of reinforcement of
masonry columns on their bearing capacity.
OUTLINE OF THE THESIS
The thesis consist of content and five chapters
Chapter One – literature review and main topics :
Major problems in buildings with bearing masonry elements;
Methods and ways of reinforcing masonry structures;
Experimental studies concerning masonry structures;
Goal and objectives of the thesis are defined.
Chapter two is focused on experimental determination of the properties and
characteristics of the basic building materials according to Eurocode 6. This
includes the following topics:
- Determination of tensile strength of bricks;
- Determination of compressive strength of bricks;
- Determination of compressive strength of grout;
- Determination of compressive strength of materials for reinforcement
(concrete and grout);
- Determination of compressive strength of masonry.
Chapter three is related to the preparation and conduction of experimental studies.
This chapter is divided into several parts, which include the following topics:
- Description and implementation of prepared elements – eight masonry
columns made of clay bricks and lime-cement solution;
- Graphical representation of test results of unreinforced experimental
model 1 and 2;
- Reinforcement of experimental model 1 and 2 with reinforced concrete
jacketing;
- Reinforcement of experimental model 3 and 4 with steel jacketing;
- Graphical representation of test results of experimental model 3 and 4;
- Reinforcement of experimental model 5,6,7 and 8 with ferrocement
jacketing;
- Graphical representation of test results of experimental model 5,6,7 and 8;
Tested parameters are the magnitude of the load, types and methods of
reinforcement;
Chapter four and five are major part of the thesis, where the results of
experimental work are analyzed. Recommendations are made concerning the
private coefficient of material  M for determination of bearing capacity of
unreinforced masonry columns;
Based on the large number of experimental studies have been proposed
dependencies for determine the bearing capacity of reinforced brick columns
with steel and ferrocement jacketing.