Fragility Curves for Material Characteristics and Damage Index for Brick Masonry Exposed to Freeze–Thaw Action

Abstract

In regions exposed to floods followed by cold weather, brick masonry as a structural basis of the building envelope can be damaged due to the accompanying phenomenon of freezing and thawing. The main purpose of the article is the development of a mathematical model able to predict the chosen mechanical parameters and damage index of brick wallets for a given number of freeze-thaw cycles. For this, a statistical model derived from experimental data is used. As a result, regression curves for Young’s modulus and ductility for two types of mortar are obtained. Furthermore, fragility curves for ductility and also the damage index, which is based on displacement ductility, are presented. The obtained results enable probabilistic risk assessments in the case of deteriorated ductility and increased damage on brick masonry due to freeze–thaw cycles.

Keywords

• freezing/thawing
• brick wallets
• experimental
• statistical model
• fragility curve
• damage index