Research on the Strength of Compressed Masonry Elements from Cellular Concrete Blocks with Transverse Reinforcement

The work is devoted to the study of the possibility of using transverse reinforcement to increase the bearing capacity of masonry from aerated concrete blocks and the development of a calculation method that allows to quantify the proposed reinforcement. The need for the formulation of such studies was due to the lack of regulatory data regarding the reinforcement of the masonry concrete blocks, as well as an increase in production volumes and demand for cellular concrete. The results of experimental studies of masonry of aerated concrete blocks, reinforced by welded meshes under the short-term action of axial compressive loads are presented. The effect of increasing the carrying capacity due to the constraint of deformation of the masonry due to transverse reinforcement is revealed. The reinforcement rods of welded meshes, located in horizontal mortar joints, possessing a much greater modulus of elasticity than the masonry, prevent the development of masonry deformations in the transverse direction and, thereby, create lateral compression stresses. The proposed and experimentally confirmed by the authors method of increasing the carrying capacity of compressed elements, based on the principle of transverse (indirect) reinforcement of stone materials, can be applied to the laying of concrete blocks.