Increase of the structural resistance in masonry parapets with the post-tensioning technique

The study shows the comparison of the structural behavior of conventional parapets built with clay and concrete masonry units, to others incorporating the post-tensioning technique used for reinforced concrete elements. The is to provide stability during seismic events that occur with a certain frequency in Peru. Masonry parapets are non-structural elements located in buildings, which pose a threat to people. The testing program consisted of 8 specimens between conventional and post-tensioned systems with a total length of 1.20 m and 2.40 m. respectively, a height of 1.20 m. and thickness of 0.12 m. that were provided by the company DINO-Pacasmayo (Piura, Peru) and tested in the structures laboratory of UDEP (University of Piura) with monotonic static loads perpendicular to the plane of the parapet. One of the main properties of masonry is to resist high compressive stresses and low tensile stresses. To overcome this disadvantage, it was proposed to incorporate an internal reinforcement to the wall with a technique known as post-tensioning in reinforced concrete. Based on the principle of incorporating constant compression through continuous tension in its cables or tendons aiming to find similar deformations in both elements. The tests allowed us to compare the increase in resistance of its material capacity of the walls, deflection, moments, shear forces, and forces at the base for the parapets with conventional and post-stressed clay and concrete masonry units. It was shown that the structural resistance of the conventional parapet is lower compared with the post-tensioned since there was an increase of 4 times its resistance in its load capacity, 5 times the shear forces, and 2 times in bending, which indicates that the post-tensioning technique in the parapets significantly improved the adhesion and capacity between the mortar and the brick.