Umer’s thesis project focuses on investigating the potential of using ungrouted reinforced concrete masonry walls, in which the rebars are unbonded. Umer is also looking into the potential of removing mortar for ungrouted reinforced concrete masonry walls, by using interlocking.
He numerically demonstrated the potential of un-grouted reinforced masonry walls under in-plane loading, and compared the in-plane behaviour of the un-grouted reinforced masonry walls with the conventional masonry wall types. The comparison provides insights that under what conditions un-grouted walls could be applicable (e.g., retrofitting of existing ungrouted unreinforced masonry walls).
He is looking forward to shedding more insights into the behavior of ungrouted mortarless reinforced concrete masonry walls.
Supervisor: Dr. Yong Li