Toughness of fibre reinforced hydraulic lime mortar. Part-2: Dynamic response

The seismic rehabilitation of historical masonry buildings necessitates a quantitative understanding of the repointing mortar under variable strain rates. In Part-1 of this paper, plain and fibre reinforced hydraulic lime mortar specimens were examined under compression, flexure and direct shear to evaluate the post-crack response under quasi-static loading. It was seen that although the fibres enhance the flexural toughness of hydraulic lime mortar, the material is weakest in Mode I fracture. In Part-2 of this paper, the authors describe the strain rate sensitivity of hydraulic lime mortar on the basis of impact testing of notched beams. The mixes were identical to those examined in Part-1, and the dynamic response was evaluated using a drop-weight impact machine for strain rates in the range of 10^?6 to 10 s^?1. The authors found that compared to fibre reinforced Portland cement-based mortar and concrete, the flexural response of hydraulic lime mortar is more sensitive to strain rate.