A novel seismic strengthening method for masonry walls using 3D-Printed polymer mesh: out-of-plane experiments and in-plane numerical analysis
Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10518-026-02652-0
- Dergi Adı: Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, Geobase, INSPEC, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Earth, Atmospheric, & Aquatic Science Collection (ProQuest), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: 3D printed mesh, Carbon textile mesh, Digital image correlation (DIC), Masonry wall strengthening, Numerical analysis, Out-of-plane loads, PET-G, Textile reinforced mortar (TRM)
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study presents an experimental–numerical investigation of masonry wall strengthening using mortar strips reinforced with 3D-printed polymer meshes. Twenty-four specimens constructed with aerated concrete, hollow brick, and clay brick units were tested under monotonic out-of-plane bending. PLA, PETG, and hybrid carbon–PLA (C-PLA) meshes with two geometric patterns were examined and benchmarked against conventional carbon textile-reinforced mortar (C-TRM). Structural response was characterized through load–displacement measurements, Digital Image Correlation, and strain gauges. Because premature TRM–masonry debonding can prevent the full tensile capacity of high-strength carbon textiles from being mobilized under in-plane loading, the out-of-plane tests provided a complementary basis for evaluating the tensile contribution of the different reinforcement meshes. Relative to the corresponding controls, the average increases in peak load, stiffness, and energy absorption were 368%, 554%, and 552% for PLA; 423%, 634%, and 735% for PETG; and 656%, 861%, and 796% for C-PLA, compared with 727%, 668%, and 3086% for C-TRM. Previously validated finite-element models of diagonally loaded masonry walls were subsequently extended by replacing the carbon textile with PETG reinforcement. The numerical results showed that PETG and C-TRM provided similar initial stiffness and peak in-plane shear capacity when interface debonding governed the global response. Strengthening the interface enabled greater mobilization of PETG and made the differences between the reinforcement systems more pronounced during the post-peak stage. A preliminary material-level assessment identified PETG as the most favorable cost–performance option, while both PLA and PETG exhibited lower cradle-to-gate environmental impacts than the carbon-based systems. Overall, 3D-printed polymer meshes offer a lightweight, customizable, and potentially economical complementary solution for the strengthening of masonry walls.