Experimental Study of Prestressed Masonry Flexural Elements

Abstract

Prestressed masonry as a structural material is still underexploited for the simple reason that basic behavior and complete response up to failure is not well understood. Therefore, to evolve a rational basis for design of prestressed masonry flexural members, it is necessary to experimentally investigate its complete behavior. The present paper gives details of a comprehensive test study conducted on different prestressed masonry rectangular beams and slab specimens. The effect of some important variables such as masonry compressive strength, cross-sectional dimensions, prestressing cable's profile, and the bond between the prestressing steel and the surrounding masonry have also been investigated. The test results monitored are deflections, strains in masonry as well as in the prestressing steel, both in the pre- and the postcracking stages up to their failure. Finally, on the basis of the test results, the influence of the chosen variables on the behavior of prestressed masonry flexural elements has been emphasized.