Long Mechanical Interaction between Strengthening Materials and Preexisting Structures1

The paper presents the results of an experimental investigation conducted on clay bricks and different types of restoration products commonly available on the European market, specifically a tixotropic mix for production of mortars and structural plasters, two cement-free binders for dehumidifying mortars, a cement-free grout to be used as filler for voids and cavities in masonry structures, a cement-free dehumidifying mortar for the restoration of damp stone, brick and tuff masonry, and a one-component mortar for plaster repair. Prism-shaped specimens were produced using single materials and coupled materials. They were subjected to static compressive tests for the determination of their mechanical properties and cyclic compressive tests for the analysis of their fatigue behavior; the final aim is to develop an experimental procedure for assessing the effectiveness of strengthening materials. A parameter, $\alpha$ , was defined based on the results of the static compressive tests. It was used for the characterization of the long-term interaction between parent material and restoration mortar. Finally, a simple procedure for selecting an appropriate repair mortar is suggested based on such a parameter.