Experimental testing of a composite structural system using tile vaults as integrated formwork for reinforced concrete

Abstract

Tile vaults are unreinforced masonry structures made of thin bricks (tiles) and fast-setting mortar that can be constructed without the need of a formwork, except at the boundaries, making them inherently economic. Their slenderness and finishing make them also efficient and expressive. These qualities of tile vaulting can be enhanced by combining it with reinforced concrete creating a new composite system. The tile vault can be integrated in the final solution, as a permanent formwork, reducing construction costs and waste. A top layer of reinforced concrete rises up the strength of the composite system, whereas reinforcement reduces the thickness and opens the possibility to build structures with a formal language well beyond what is typically associated with masonry architecture. Therefore, several advantages make the system competitive compared to traditional reinforced concrete shells. This paper presents experimental research on the materials of this composite system and load tests on composite barrel vaults. The construction of full-scale prototypes has allowed a critical review of the construction process and has demonstrated the feasibility of the technique and its successful structural performance. Moreover, the analysis of these composite structures is carried out using Extended Limit Analysis of Reinforced Masonry (ELARM), provided that the reinforcement guarantees sufficient ductility. Furthermore, the data collected from the experimental research becomes a benchmark for the calibration of eventual further structural models.