Shear strength of walls made of AAC blocks strengthened using plaster mesh on adhesive mortar

The article presents a research and computational analysis of the effect of external strengthening on the shear capacity of walls made of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks. Non-structural materials, i.e. glass mesh and plaster mortar, which are used in thermal modernization works, were used as strengthening. The first part discusses and shows the results of testing of individual materials and strengthening set in the form of single-lap and coupon type specimens, as well as standard model tests of 1.2 × 1.2 m walls. Two arrangements of meshes on the surface of the models (horizontally and vertically) were tested, showing that for the materials used, both configurations yield similar increases in shear capacity of 89% and 80%, respectively. On the basis of the parameters determined in the material tests, that is, the effective strains and the modulus of elasticity of the strengthening, the contribution of the strengthening to the load capacity of the strengthened walls was calculated, directly on the basis of literature guidelines, as well as taking into account the proposed modification. Comparison of the results derived from the calculations and model tests indicated very good agreement