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Penetrability of hydraulic grouts

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Abstract

Design of hydraulic grouts for strengthening of masonry historical buildings seems to follow rather empirical procedures, with all the related uncertainties, both in terms of economy and efficiency. This paper is part of a broader attempt to establish a rational methodology for the design of such grouts, based on their discrete injectability characteristics, i.e. (i) Penetrability, (ii) Fluidity and (iii) Stability. This paper deals with penetrability and constitutes the first part of this holistic methodology. The second part regarding the fluidity and the third regarding the stability are separately published. Grouting is intended to fill voids, fissures and open joints of the masonry as a system, producing a “dendrite” (a three-dimensional skeleton), directly contributing to the strength of the masonry as a whole. However, to do so, the grout should be able to pass through the “narrowest” possible width of such discontinuities, in order to reach the maximum possible internal volume of masonry and open joints, avoiding most of possible blockages. In the specific case of three-leaf masonries, the most decisive result of the grouting is expected to be the strengthening of the bond along the interfaces between the external layers and the infill; the rather small voids, as well as pre-existing fissures along these interfaces have to be penetrated. In this paper the penetrability of hydraulic grouts is discussed, and relationships between two characteristic diameters of the grains of the solid phase of the grout and the nominal minimum width of fissures and voids of the structure to be injected are proposed. Furthermore the beneficial role of replacing part of the cement or hydraulic lime with ultrafine materials in order to improve penetrability is presented, and related criteria are proposed.

Résumé

L’étude de la composition des coulis hydrauliques pour le renforcement des structures historiques en maçonnerie obéit souvent à des procédures plutôt empiriques accompagnées d’incertitudes tant en termes d’économie que d’efficacité. Cet article fait partie d’une tentative plus générale destinée à établir une méthodologie rationnelle permettant la formulation des coulis hydrauliques par l’intermédiaire d’une analyse de leurs propriétés d’injectabilité i.e. (i) Pénétrabilité, (ii) Fluidité et (iii) Stabilité. Cet article concerne la pénétrabilité et constitue la première partie de cette méthodologie. La seconde partie traitant la fluidité et la troisième concernant la stabilité, sont publiés séparément. L’injection des coulis a pour objectif de remplir les vides, fissures et joints ouverts de la maçonnerie considérée comme un système, produisant ainsi un “dendrite” (un squelette tridimensionnel), contribuant directement à la résistance de la maçonnerie dans son ensemble. Pour répondre à cet objectif, le coulis doit être capable de traverser les discontinuités les plus étroites possibles, afin d’atteindre le volume interne maximal de la maçonnerie et les joints ouverts, tout en évitant au mieux les éventuels blocages. Dans le cas spécifique de la maçonnerie a trois parois (une section composite comprenant deux parements extérieurs séparés par un remplissage), le résultat le plus significatif de l’injection du coulis est attendue d’être le renforcement de l’adhérence tout au long des interfaces entre les parois extérieurs et le remplissage; les vides plutôt petits ainsi que fissures préexistantes tout au long des ces interfaces doivent être pénétrés. La pénétrabilité du coulis est discutée dans cet article, et des relations entre deux diamètres caractéristiques des grains de la phase solide du coulis et l’épaisseur nominale minimale des vides et fissures de la structure à injecter sont proposées. Le rôle bénéfique du remplacement partiel du ciment ou de la chaux hydraulique par des éléments ultrafins afin d’améliorer la pénétrabilité est également examiné et des critères sont proposés.

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Notes

  1. It is however noted that in some cases fv-values may be higher. That is why a final trial-mix is always necessary.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to Sophie Anagnostopoulou, MSc. Chemical Engineer and to Anna Kalagri, MSc. Chemical Engineer and Conservator of Art, for their help with the experiments and the graphics of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Director of Museums Studies and Cultural Buildings, Hellenic Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, Culture and Sports, 12 Sq. Karitsi, Athens, Greece

    A. Miltiadou-Fezans

  2. National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    T. P. Tassios

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Correspondence to A. Miltiadou-Fezans.

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Miltiadou-Fezans, A., Tassios, T.P. Penetrability of hydraulic grouts. Mater Struct 46, 1653–1671 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-012-0005-1

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