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System RFIX SismaCalce

Thermal modernization with moral
safe living in traditional masonry and new buildings

Imprint
Publisher:
Graphic design:

RFIX AG, Badstrasse 23, 6832 Rthis

Martin Schaffler
Copyright by RFIX AG: 2013
Our details are carefully created by stipulations of the present study and practical experience, but
without claim to completeness or accuracy and without liability for other resolutions.

Contents

04

RFIX System SismaCalce

14

Trials and laboratory tests

22

RFIX SismaCalce application policy

System RFIX Sisma |

RFIX System SismaCalce

Earthquake resistance and energy efficiency. Safe and sustainable living in tradiotional masonry and
new buildings.

The Future of construction:

Thermal renovation combined with
earthquake resistance
From the know-how and competence of
RFIX a solution for earthquake-proof
buildings is now emerged: An efficient
and integrated system for safe, energyefficient and comfortable buildings.
The thermal insulation of a building
is crucial for its energy efficiency, low
energy consumption of heating and air
conditioning as well as for high quality
comfort.
The subject of earthquake safety is
very relevant and important. Not only
new buildings must be constructed in
accordance with appropriate standards,
but also the safety of the many old
buildings must be urgently improved.
A large part of the existing buildings has
not only a high consumption of energy
but also a high risk of collapse in the
case of an earthquake. Now RFIX has
developed the innovative system RFIX
SismaCalce LIGHT: A system that
combines a reinforcement of masonry
with a complete insulation. The decisive
advantage of RFIX SismaCalce LIGHT:

two key services of a building are greatly

improved in just a single intervention:
earthquake resistance and energy
efficiency.


RFIX construction systems

Nowadays, the construction must
meet very high requirements. The big
challenge for modern building is the
balance between the environmental,
economic and safety needs of our
time. For more than 100 years RFIX
has been developing high-quality
construction technology and offers its
customers innovative products and
systems that meet even the highest
standards of technology, efficiency and
sustainability.
We give a decisive impulse for a
forward-looking policy in construction.
RFIX is your solid and reliable partner
for the secure future of your construction
projects.

Product quality, innovation and

experience

value are created. It is often a lifes

work and home for whole generations.
We are aware of the great responsibility
towards our customers who rely on
the quality of our products and their
correct application on site, consciously.
It has always been our goal to offer
quality products for sustainable and
economically viable building. We were
able to continually improve the quality
of our products and services through
the years. A success story based on the
combination of innovation, quality and
years of experience.
We assist our clients in both the
selection and in the application of the
appropriate product for their individual
construction projects. Both the customer
awareness and demand for sustainable
building products and systems are
constantly increasing. The quality seal
of the most prestigious national and
international certification institutes
confirm the quality and sustainability of
our products and make RFIX the ideal
partner for innovative building projects in
harmony with nature.

With the construction or renovation

of a house, resistance and long-term
5

Earthquakes are geologically induced vibrations of the earth, which can have devastating consequences in some cases. Judging by the
earthquake number and the strength of individual earthquakes, there are a lot of earthquake-prone regions. The damage and destruction
that can be caused thereby are higher because of a unique wealth of historic buildings, art treasures and monuments.

Earthquakes:
Risk of collapse of masonry buildings
Masonry has been used as structural
material in a wide variety of forms for
thousands of years. However, masonry,
which can be stressed relatively high in
compression, is not suitable material to
carry the shear and tensile stresses.
Due to the high ratio between the
specific weight and the bearing capacity
of the material, the historic structures
bear loads in massive and rigid forms,
evidently different from those of the
modern structures composed of
relatively flexible systems.

Traditional stone and brick masonry

structures, whether or not they are
historic monuments, have low ductility,
and, due to their stiff and brittle
structural components, are usually
severely damaged during strong
earthquakes.
The main reasons for damage or
collapse are the lack of ductility
of the masonry components, high
displacements that the structure cannot
afford, and amplification of dangerously
high frequencies due to their dynamic
behavior in response to earthquake

action making them vulnerable to those

harmonies of the ground motion. In
the majority of cases, past and recent
earthquakes have caused most of the
damage to masonry buildings, and
most of the loss of human lives has
occurred due to the collapse of masonry
buildings.
As a consequence, masonry buildings
are not considered as earthquake
resistant.

Produced by the Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Programm (GSHAP) demonstration

program of United Nations International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (UN/IDNDR).
180 150W 120W

90W

60W 30W

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.8 1.6 2.4 3.2 4.0 4.8

Peak Ground Acceleration (m/s2)

Seismic Classification of the world

Thermal renovation and seismic protection in one an investment

that pays off
The first measure to be taken to reduce
the energy consumption of a residential
building is the reduction of heat loss
through proper insulation of the building
envelope. A thermal insulation composite
system provides a simple and efficient
thermal insulation of exterior walls
and thus an increase in performance,
economy and environmental protection.
Of course, the improvement of the
energy balance and the living comfort
of a home is an essential aspect. But
even more important is a high level of
protection and safety standards for its
residents. The obvious danger of collapse
of buildings during earthquakes and the

highly acclaimed standard for earthquake

adaptation of existing buildings make the
urgent need for safe buildings clear.
For this reason RFIX SismaCalce
combines thermal insulation with
earthquake protection, making it an
effective solution for two basic aspects
that should meet any building.

Improving earthquake safety and

energy efficiency of existing buildings
not only ensures a reduction in
renovation costs but also the thermal
modernization of old properties.

Earthquake-proof adaptation and technical standards

Seismic adaptation of old buildings in

earthquake-prone regions requires a
mainly targeted repair of construction
and planning deficiencies from previous
years. This applies not only to structural
weaknesses (such as reinforced
concrete frame) but particularly for nonload-bearing walls and wall sections
in lightweight brick that promote the
initiation of collapse mechanisms.
It is known that the mechanisms at
maximum deformation capacity have
the greatest risk, as almost instantly
sensitive cracks can develop caused by
the deformation below the limit incurred
damages.
Exactly these cracks often lead to the
collapse of whole walls, or at least a
large part thereof. A chain reaction
is triggered at whose end stands
the complete or partial collapse of
the building. It is also known that a
deficient or insufficient connection
between non-load bearing walls and
the supporting structure or between the
different layers of the non-load bearing
wall itself promotes such mechanisms
Studies on non-load bearing
masonry

or significantly influences them. This is

commonly the case in older buildings.
This design weakness is typical for nonload bearing frame structures with thin
partitions. Frequently affected are also
historic old buildings, which have often
been several times enlarged, renovated
and rebuilt.

is essential for the selection of the

necessary strengthening measures.
Only a previous comprehensive analysis
allows a repair and reinforcement project
for the elimination or drastic reduction
of vulnerabilities and deficiencies that
could affect the proper functioning of the
structure in case of emergency.

The safety of non-load bearing masonry

is taken into account more and more
with earthquake safety in the national
standards.

Damage mechanisms in the

direction of the plane of the wall

The recent earthquakes have shown that

such consequential damage can only be
prevented by an adequate prevention.
The sad events there confirmed anew
the lessons learned from previous
earthquakes and made it clear in what
serious personal injury, material damage
and disability of escape routes the
maximum deformation capacity of nonload bearing walls may result.
According to the EN 1996 Eurocode
6 Standard Design of masonary
structures the review of the maximum
deformation capacity at the time
of marginal load is mandatory. The
standard also provides for the adoption
of measures that can prevent premature
and rapid collapse and the maximum
deformation capacity at the time of the
marginal load.

Damage mechanisms at loads

below the maximum deformation
capacity of non-load bearing walls
Non-load bearing wall firmly connected to the frame

Model with appropriate support

Reduction of the lateral

displacement (drift) of the
supporting structures to <0.5%
of the limit load in order to keep
the damage to non-load bearing
In addition to measures to support
elements as low as possible
Damage by lateral displacement
structures non-load bearing structural
Review of the maximum deformation
elements may not be neglected in any
capacity at the time of the limit load
Verifica dei tamponamenti
case. These are no less dangerous
Need for measures that can prevent
to the integrity of persons, even if the
early and rapid collapse and the
maximum
deformation
capacity
NTC 2008
al 7.3.7.2
regola at
i limiti di spostamento
constructioninterpiano
as a wholedegli
doeselementi
not takestrutturali
the
thecontenere
limit load.il danno agli elementi
in time
modoofda
non
strutturali.
great
harm.

dr

hp

d r < 0,005 h p
dr: lateral displacement
hp: height of the
floor h p
dr<0,005

hp

This issue became very clear when

buildings without structural damage
showed significant and widespread
destruction of the non-load bearing
design elements. This led to partial or
complete collapse, which made the
habitability of the building without the
execution of expensive repairs to the
masonry impossible.
An in-depth quality analysis of the
potentially hazardous load bearing
and non-load-bearing structures

Damage by diagonal cracks

Crushing of the corners under load

Collapse mechanisms at the time of maximum deformation capacity in the plate direction of the wall
Firmly connected non-load bearing wall
Collapse conditions
Upper solid
bar

Not firmly connected non-load bearing wall

Statics
Scheme

Collapse conditions
Upper solid
bar

Lower solid
bar

Statics
Scheme

Lower solid
bar

The bow-like support mechanism

Gaping of the joint

Easy collapse mechanism

Tilt

Combined effect
Functioning of the non-bearing walls, combined effect: 1) damage caused by stresses below the max. deformation capacity
2) resulting reduction of the limit load.

Diagonal cracks in a non-load bearing wall in

reinforced concrete frames

2

Detachment of the outer lining of the non-bearing wall in

reinforced concrete frames

Double walls are to be considered more critical then single-layer walls:: Generally they are made of very thin elements and thus less
stable. In addition, problems at the connection points with the main structure or at the junction of two panels can result.

Detachment of the outer lining of a reinforced concrete

structure

Damage and detachment of the wall cladding

RFIX SismaCalce
The seismic reinforcement of RFIX
SismaCalce consists of the special
fabric RFIX SismaProtect that is used
together with the mineral mortar RFIX
SismaCalce on white cement- and
natural hydraulic lime basis (NHL).
The RFIX SismaProtect earthquake
protection multi-axial fabric is a hybrid
fabric of special alkali-resistant synthetic
and glass fibers with a coating to offer
an optimum fiber-mortar composite.
The earthquake-induced movements
and energies in the masonry can be
absorbed through the multi-axial fabric
construction from all directions. Forces
and force peaks are distributed in
this particular tissue and additionally
reduced by the special fibers. The fabric
is alkali-resistant, corrosion-resistant,
easy to handle and can be embedded in
a form-independent way on all masonry
creators. The earthquake protection
10

tissue SismaProtect is processed in

connection with the RFIX SismaCalce
embedding mortar on WC-NHL
basis. This is characterized by high
ductility and low modulus of elasticity
and perfectly adapts to the different
requirements of new buildings, but also
especially of existing buildings. The
reinforcing layer of the system RFIX
SismaCalce has very good adhesion
and vapor diffusion permeability and is
ideal as a base for the various RFIX
thermal insulation composite systems.
The RFIX SismaCalce system was
designed for a masonry which should
help in the event of an earthquake
disaster to protect human life. Thanks
to the cooperation of the reinforcement,
reinforced and improved ductility, a
considerable deformation of the building
can be achieved. Although cracks
and partial damages of the structure

develop, a complete collapse, however,

can be prevented. The integrity of the
occupants of the building and passersby is thus protected.
Last but not least, the RFIX
SismaCalce system ensures much
less damage to a house compared
to the consequential damage to not
earthquake-proof buildings in case of an
earthquake. This of course reduces the
cost of a possible reconstruction.
An innovative system that combines
thermal insulation with reinforced
structural reinforcement. With less
additional charges compared to
conventional thermal insulation
composite systems, RFIX SismaCalce
ensures an absolute increase in safety,
energy conservation, quality of life and
increase in property value.

Benefits of RFIX SismaCalce

The reinforcement increases the train-bearing capacity of
the masonry.
The reinforcement protects against damage to non-load
bearing walls, which leads to their collapse and endangers
the lives of people.
The system ensures a uniform distribution of stresses and
thus improves the adhesion of the non-load bearing walls.
The system ensures high ductility of the reinforced structure
and a good dispersion ability of the seismic energy.
The system prevents the collapse mechanisms of non-load
bearing walls at the time of the limit load.
Despite the reinforcement, the vapor diffusion permeability
of the surface remains preserved, the hygrothermal properties are not affected. The reinforcement provides an ideal
basis for a thermal insulation composite system.
The reinforcement system impresses with its ease of use.

11

RFIX SismaCalce
The integrated system for thermal renovation and
seismic adaptation of buildings

Armored reinforcement

Thermal Insulation Composite System

THERMAL INSULATION, COMFORT AND SAFETY

FOR YOUR HOME
The thermal and seismic renovation of a building with RFIX SismaCalce LIGHT
brings many advantages and benefits:

Earthquake-resistant protection
Improved stability of the walls
Improved ductility of the walls
Higher stability and consequently less
risk of structural collapse of the nonbearing walls at limit load
Reduction of the energy consumption
of the building

12

Elimination of thermal bridges

Use of heat storage (thermal inertia)
of the walls
Uniform heat insulation and facade
protection
Healthy and comfortable room
climate, no formation of condensation
or mold

Improved comfort
Cost-effective renovation measure
and increase in property value
Ease of application

System RFIX SismaCalce LIGHT

The insulation with polystyrene (EPS)
combines an excellent insulation effect
with cheaper acquisition and easier
processing. The lightweight polystyrene
foam does not rot, is flame retardant and
guaranteed CFC-free. Mineral, highimpact reinforcing layer (Cat. I) with
5 mm nominal plaster thickness.
Suitable for old and new buildings.

System RFIX SismaCalce

FIRESTOP

System RFIX SismaCalce

CORKTHERM

Insulation with mineral wool combines

safety with optimum thermal and
environmental protection. Mineral wool
is heat insulating, very permeable, nonflammable and therefore particularly
suitable for tall buildings. Mineral,
impact-resistant reinforcing layer
(Cat. II or I) with 5 mm nominal plaster
thickness. Suitable for old and new
buildings.

Insulation with cork called dams with

nature. Because cork is a sustainable,
renewable resource, free of extraneous
additives. The insulation option for
people who are environmentally
conscious in saving energy and still not
want to give up a comfortable living
environment. Mineral, impact-resistant
reinforcing layer (Cat. II) with 5 mm
nominal plaster thickness. Suitable for
old and new buildings.

System components
RFIX SismaCalce LIGHT EPS:

System components
RFIX SismaCalce FIRESTOP:

System components
RFIX SismaCalce CORKTHERM:

RFIX SismaCalce embedding mortar

on NHL-white cement basis
RFIX SismaProtect earth quake
knitted fabrics
RFIX Unistar LIGHT Adhesive mortar
and Basecoat
RFIX EPS F EPS faade insulation panel
RFIX System screw anchor
RFIX Unistar LIGHT +
RFIX P50 Reinforcement tissue
RFIX Primer PREMIUM
RFIX SiSi plaster VITAL

RFIX SismaCalce embedding mortar

on NHL-white cement basis
RFIX SismaProtect earth quake knitted fabrics
RFIX Unistar LIGHT Adhesive mortar
and Basecoat
RFIX FIRESTOP mineral wool-faade
insulation panel
RFIX System screw anchor
RFIX Unistar LIGHT +
RFIX P50 Reinforcement tissue
RFIX Primer PREMIUM
RFIX SiSi plaster VITAL

RFIX SismaCalce embedding mortar

on NHL-white cement basis
RFIX SismaProtect earth quake knitted fabrics
RFIX Unistar BASIC Adhesive mortar
and Basecoat
RFIX CORKTHERM cork-faade
insulation panel
RFIX System screw anchor
RFIX Unistar BASIC +
RFIX P50 Reinforcement tissue
RFIX Primer PREMIUM
RFIX SiSi plaster VITAL

13

Trials and laboratory tests

14

The laboratory tests carried out at the

Karlsruhe Institute of Techology (KIT)
showed a demonstrably high force
distribution of the seismic energy,
improved ductility and the reduction of
the tensile load on the masonry. Thanks
to the enormously increased ductility of
the reinforced masonry sample piece a
large number of cracks developed, but
no major damage. In cooperation with
the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
(KIT) RFIX developed a system for
anti-seismic reinforcement consisting of
a multi-axial hybrid high-tech tissue and

a mineral mortar on NHL-white cement

base. It has been specifically designed
to improve the seismic stability of
masonry and the non-load bearing walls
and therefore guarantees a high degree
of safety in the event of an earthquake.
The Faculty of Civil and Environmental
Engineering at the University of
Padua and the Institute of Earthquake
Engineering and Engineering Seismology
(IZIIS) Skopje executed a series of
experiments for the evaluation of the
performance of the system, in particular

The laboratory tests that were performed on wall samples at

the Karlsruhe Institute of Techology (KIT)

with regard to the problem of nonbearing walls. The strength, ductility and
strength distribution were tested as well
as the stability at maximum deformation
capacity after previous damage by
loads below the maximum deformation
capacity (combined load).

Laboratory tests conducted by KIT in three rock layers confirm

a high force distribution, improved ductility and an increase in
the shear capacity compared to unreinforced specimens.

The tests performed confirmed the high

level of dispersion of the seismic energy
which has improved deformability and
the reduction of the tensile stress of
the masonry. Thanks to the enormously
increased ductility a large number
of cracks developed, but no major

damage. Not least, the tests showed

the improved stability at maximum
deformation capacity.

15

Laboratory tests and results

The research project Experimental Verification of Innovative

Technique for Seismic Upgrading of Traditional Masonry
Building has been realized by the Institute of Earthquake
Engineering and Engineering Seismology (IZIIS), Skopje.
Within the frameworks of the project ample experimental
studies were performed, the main goals were:
1. assessment of the vulnerability of structure of traditional
masonry building;
2. testing and experimental verification of the efficiency of the
methodology for seismic upgrading of traditional masonry
buildings using innovative System RFIX SismaCalce;
3. definition of the process for implementation of the
methodology in real buildings.
It has been decided to choose traditional brick masonry building
as prototype structure. The experimental programme included:

Quasi-static testing
Two basic types of wall element were
tested in the considered case. The wall
elements of type W1 were subjected to
axial compression test, while diagonal
compression test was performed for
the wall element of type W2. All the wall
elements are proportioned 58x58x12,5 cm.
They were classified into six testing groups:
First group: 3 wall elements of type
W1, (W1-1, W1-2, W1-3) under axial
pressure by cyclic application of axial
force up to failure for obtaining the
compression strength;

Wall elements of type W1

16

1. Laboratory testing of masonry brick and mortar specimens

for definition of their strength characteristics,
2. Quasi-static testing of 4 series consisting of 3 elements of
masonry wall samples (original and retrofitted) lime-cement
mortar for definition of mechanical characteristics and failure
mechanism,
3. Design and construction of the model to a scale 1:2 of
2-storey brick masonry building, for shaking table testing,
4. Shaking table testing of the model in non-retrofitted (BM
model) state, under different levels and frequency content of
seismic excitation, to introduce damage to the model,
5. Design of seismic upgrading of the model using the System
RFIX SismaCalce,
6. Shaking table testing of the model in its retrofitted state,
(model BM-SR) up to the level close to failure, depending of the
maximum capacity of shaking table.

Second group: 3 wall elements

of type W2, (W2-1, W2-2, W2-3),
under diagonal pressure by cyclic
application of force up to failure,
for obtaining the tensile and shear
strength;
Third group: 3 wall elements
of type W2, (W2-4, W2-5, W-6)
under diagonal pressure by cyclic
application of force up to occurrence
of initial cracks;
Fourth group: the 3 wall elements
from previous testing, repaired and
retrofitted by the system RFIX
SismaCalce, (W2-4R, W2-5R, W26R) under diagonal pressure by cyclic

application of force up to failure;

Fifth group: 3 wall elements of type
W2, retrofitted at the very beginning
by RFIX SismaCalce system on
both sides of the wall (W2-7S, W28S, W2-9S) under diagonal pressure
by cyclic application of force up to
failure;
Sixth group: 2 wall elements from the
reserve one, of type W2, retrofitted
at the very beginning by RFIX
SismaCalce system on only one
side of the wall (W2-10S, W2-11S)
under diagonal pressure by cyclic
application of force up to failure.

Wall elements of type W2

Results from tests of wall elements of type W2 R/S

Wall element

Date of testing

Maximum axial
force Pmax (kN)

Compressive, Shear Stress

c=u = Pmaxcos45o/A (kPa)

Tensile strength
ft (kPa)

Ductility
capacity

W2-4 R

22.08.13

150

1462

903

5,1

W2-5 R

23.08.13

128

1248

771

5,9

W2-6 R

27.08.13

97

946

584

7,1

W2-7 S

29.08.13

138

1345

831

5,1

W2-8 S

30.08.13

140

1365

843

5,5

W2-9 S

02.09.13

165

1579

976

7,5

W2-10S

02.09.13

148

1443

891

2,6

W2-11S

03.09.13

160

1560

964

2,1

The experimentally obtained results on the compressive

strength c of the masonry walls ranges within 4.20 MPa to
5.30 MPa, while that of tensile strength ranges within 0.26
MPa to 0.31 MPa which is in compliance with the regulations
and the recommendations on the tensile strength/compressive
strength ratio of masonry, ft = (0.03 0.08) c.
The proposed and applied retrofitting contributes to increase of
elastic limit, bearing and deformation capacity.
Thus tensile strength of retrofitted elements ranges within
0.77MPa to 0.976 Mpa, which is three times greater than that
for original ones. The ductility capacity was increased with
retrofitting three times too.

Force-displacement relantionships for retrofitted wall elements

W2-7S, W2-8S, W2-9S

As to the type of loading, slightly greater values were observed

during monotonic application of load. The observed differences
in the values obtained within the testing group could be
explained by quality of built-in materials, the human factor
connected with the quality of construction, quality of filling the

Characteristic failure mechanisms of wall elements

W2-10S, W2-11S

Force-displacement relationships for

W2-10S, W2-11S

joints and application of eq-grid, as well as to imperfection of

the testing equipment. As input parameters for correct analysis
of the model not only from the aspect of application of seismic
effect by a shaking table (for the retrofitted and the existing
model) but also for interpretation of the model behaviour.

17

To experimentally verify the methodology for seismic retrofitting of traditional masonry structures pertaining to historic buildings, a
model of a hypothetical prototype structure was constructed and tested on the seismic shaking table in the Dynamic Testing Laboratory
of IZIIS.
The dynamic characteristics of the both non-retrofitted and retrofitted model were checked before being subjected to earthquake
excitation by ambient vibration technique.

Experimental Shaking table tests on

1:2 scaled model
The shaking table tests of 1:2 scaled
model BM required special testing
program consisting of several test
phases, considering the expected
information about the dynamic behaviour
of the prototype and the effectiveness
and justification of applied strengthening
method and technology. The same
testing procedure was applied for
original, (BM) and for retrofitted model
(BM-SR), consisting of two main phases:
1. Tests for definition of dynamic
characteristics of the model, before
and after performing seismic tests at

18

each phase, in order to check stiffness

degradation of the model produced by
micro or macro cracks developed during
the tests;
2. Seismic testing by selected earthquake
record until heavy damage. The tests are
performed in several steps, increasing the
input intensity of the earthquake in order
to obtain the response in linear range, as
well as to define the initial crack state,
development of failure mechanism and
possible collapse of the model.
The seismic response tests were
performed applying three different
types of earthquakes: earthquakes
Petrovac, Montenegro, 1979 and El

Centro, California, 1949, as far distance

earthquakes and earthquake Northridge,
California, 1994, as a local type of
earthquake. The both models, nonretrofitted and retrofitted one, were tested
under these three types of earthquakes
to predict the prototype behaviour under
different earthquake conditions. Repaired
and retrofitted model was subjected to
the same series of dynamic tests for
the purpose of direct comparison of
the quantities of interest and proving
the efficiency of the applied method
of strengthening. However, due to the
higher resistance of the retrofitted model,
the tests were continued under higher
intensities of input excitation.

Comparsion of the results of the original (BM) and the retrofitted model (BM-SR)
BM

BM-SR

top
acc
(g)

top
LP
(mm)

top
LP
foun.
LP
(mm)

input
acc
(g)

top
LP
(mm)

top
LP
foun.
LP
(mm)

0,14

0,22

10,5

0,49

0,21

9,6

0,39

36

0,16

0,26

6,4

0,34

0,25

5,7

0,29

Northridge

16

0,18

0,34

13,5

0,26

0,21

12,8

0,21

El Centro

65

0,18

0,26

13,7

0,89

0,25

13,5

0,81

Petrovac

40

0,18

0,29

6,9

0,58

0,28

6,4

0,52

El Centro

75

0,21

0,35

16,4

0,91

0,32

15,9

0,86

Petrovac

45

0,20

0,32

7,8

0,77

0,30

7,0

0,73

Northridge

20

0,21

0,42

17

0,98

0,28

15,8

0,62

El Centro

80

0,27

0,52

11,6

1,20

0,37

10,9

1,11

Northridge

25

0,23

0,47

21

1,04

0,33

20

0,79

Petrovac

50

0,22

0,41

8,9

1,14

0,36

8,4

0,94

Petrovac

70

0,32

0,61

12,2

1,29

0,55

11,9

1,60

Petrovac

75

0,35

0,71

13,9

1,54

0,51

12,2

1,64

Earthquake

span
%

input
acc
(g)

El Centro

50

Petrovac

The comparison of the main dynamic

characteristics of the original, (BM) and
the retrofitted model (BM-SR) leads to the
conclusion that there is slight stiffness
increase of the retrofitted model, which
contributes to its less intensive dynamic
response.
Structural response of the original and
retrofitted model for an acceleration level
of about 0,20g, shows that in the original
model, nonlinear cracks occur first,
while for the retrofitted model, for same
excitation level, complete elasticity
without any cracks is evident, (Table
above). For an applied acceleration level
of about 0.35 g, the original model (BM)
shows large nonlinear damage and this
state is considered to be similar to the
state of ultimate load carrying capacity.

For the same level of the retrofitted

model, it is the beginning of the nonlinear
state.
The retrofitted model show qualitative
differences in respect to dynamic
behaviour. The rocking effect along the
vertical plane and high level of induced
vertical acceleration, which was
characteristic for the original model, was
negligible in the case of retrofitted model.
The BM-SR model shows complete
integrity and box-like behaviour even
during the last most intensive shaking
table tests. The comparison of the results
from the tests with Petrovac earthquake
with amax=0.16g and amax=0.35g for
both are in completely linear state, while
for the second one, the BM model is
close to failure, while the BM-SR is in

initial nonlinearity. It is evident that both

the output acceleration and relative
displacement are greater in the BM than
in the BM-SR model; the difference
increases with the increasing of the
intensity of input excitation.
Finally, for maximum expected effects of
the Petrovac earthquake (amax=1.22g),
the structure of the retrofitted model
is entering deeper into the nonlinear
state, however, taking into account the
complete integrity of structure due to
the retrofitting, this state is far from the
failure boundary. Comparing the levels of
maximum applied effects to the models
points out that for about triple excitation
level, the damage level of the retrofitted
model is considerably lower.

19

Damage of BM model after final test with an

intensities of accmax = 0,22-0,35 g

Damage of BM-SR model after final test with an

intensities of accmax = 1,22 g

Comparison of the results for original and retrofitted model, Petrovac, amax=0.50g
20

RFIX SismaCalce
Application policy, processing policy and planning assistance for secure housing in existing
and new buildings.

22

Voids in the plaster must be chipped and balanced with base coat.

Surface Preparation
Existing plastered and painted surfaces
must be checked for their load capacity
(visual inspection, wipe test, scratch
test, determination of cavities such as:
with cloth hook or converted lambs
wool roller (roll only plastic pipe without
lambskins on the facade, then you hear
where voids are located in the surface)
Voids in the plaster are to be cut off and
compensated with base coat (R660,
R520 etc.). In order to produce plastered
and painted surfaces these are to be
grinded/sanded (Maltafina, finishing
coats and coats must be removed
completely until you reach the stable
base render. Then the facade should be
cleaned from dust with compressed air
or with a broom and to be undercoated
with diluted RFIX PP 211 mineral
strengthener. As a sound substrate the
plaster must have at least 2,5 N/mm
compressive strength or at least
0,25 N/mm tensile bond strength.

24

With rising damp in the base area

shut-off works shall be undertaken. To
determine whether the moisture rises
in the masonry or only in the plaster,
a core hole and an examination of the
removed material is to be made. If
the overall diameter of the masonry is
affected, a horizontal barrier must be
introduced. After the execution of the
horizontal barrier, the masonry must dry
at least 2 years before heading with the
following work (RFIX SismaCalce and/
or ETICS).

Mixing plaster and machine

processing
Spray on at least 3 mm of plaster;
embed the RFIX SismaProtect
earthquake protection knitted fabrics
in the fresh mortar. Immediately after
the stiffening of the first layer of mortar,
RFIX SismaCalce can be re-sprayed
to produce a layer that covers the first
layer of plaster with fabric reinforcement
with at least 5mm (total thickness of at
least 8mm).

5 mm

3 mm

8 mm

Lintel band
The lintel band is run like a belt around
the whole house in the ceiling and in
the floor plate region. Fragmentations
should be avoided whenever possible.
20 cm

26

An extension of this band should be

avoided whenever possible. Where the
band is brought together or where it is
extended, it should be overlapped by

at least 20 cm. Renewals are not to be

made to exterior building edges.

20 cm

Window and door lintel

Correct: The lintel band should cover the window

lintel and reach cut in this area up to the

window frame in the soffit.
Wrong: The band is not to be flush moved to the

fall edge.

10 cm

40 cm

Roller shutter box

Correct: The lintel band should be cut so that it

can cover the defenestration and reinforce

masonry at least 10 cm vertically down.
Wrong: Do not use the smaller roll width and do not

run the band so that it is flush to the shutter
box.

10 cm

Diagonal reinforcement
Correct: RFIX SismaProtect fabric strips of at

least 20x40 cm are used for the diagonal

reinforcement. These are set diagonally

and sharp at the lower edges of the

masonry openings (windows).
Wrong: Do not lay the reinforcement horizontally

or vertically, but diagonally. Do not lay the

diagonal reinforcement away from the soffit
angle.

27

Balcony slab integration

Richtig: The entire web is cut out and laid in a way that the

balcony slab is integrated.
Falsch: Do not lay the fabric web only to flush the balcony
slab.

28

5 mm

3 mm

Surface reinforcement
Apply at least 2-3 mm RFIX SismaCalce with the plastering machine on the
surface already prepared with banners and diagonal reinforcements. In the
fresh mortar the surface reinforcement is vertically applied with 10 cm overlap.
Fragmentations of the tissue to be avoided. Extensions of the fabric have to have an
overlap of at least 10 cm. If still fragmentations take place, this must be carried out at
least 10 cm above or below the ceiling edge and with an overlap of at least 20 cm. After
8 mm
all the fabric sheets are laid on the building, the reinforced plaster system is plastered with
at least 5mm RFIX SismaCalce. Thus, a total layer thickness of the reinforced base coat of
at least 8 mm is achieved; the RFIX SismaProtect lies in the first lower plaster layer with a layer thickness of at least
2-3mm. In order to create a non-slip surface for the following constructions such as ETICS, base coats etc., the entire
area should be combed through with the fine RFIX S6 trowel horizontally, or criss-cross, as long as the plaster is still
fresh. This ensures fine toothed grip grooves, in which subsequent layers of plaster can bond well.

Tissue overlap
The tissue overlap of the vertical and horizontal
paths is always executed with at least 10 cm.

10 cm

Solid soffit
Richtig: The vertical web is laid in a way that the

tissue cut into the soffit extends from the

floor to the window port.
Falsch: The path is not to be completed at the

exterior soffit angle.

29

ca. 30 cm

Sturzbanderole

Underground finishing
The vertical webs should always extend
to at least 10cm below the ceiling panel.
After the plaster layers of the reinforced
base coat RFIX SismaCalce have
dried up (at least 1 day/mm) sub-terrain
seal is to be executed with RFIX
Optiflex, which extends to at least 30

30

cm above ground level outside. If an

EIFS is executed, the base/perimeter
insulating panel is laid at least 40 cm
above terrain so that the anchor can be
set 5cm from the top insulation board
edge (the anchor may not penetrate the
sub-terrain seal).

The additional seal application with

fabric insert on the base insulation panel
will only run up to the ground level of the
finished floor.

Austria
Rfix AG
A-6832 Rthis
Tel. +43 (0)5522 41646-0
Fax +43 (0)5522 41646-6
office.roethis@roefix.com
Rfix AG
A-6170 Zirl
Tel. +43 (0)5238 510
Fax +43 (0)5238 510-18
office.zirl@roefix.com

Rfix d.o.o.
HR-22321 Siveri
Tel. +385 (0)22 885300
Fax +385 (0)22 778318
office.siveric@roefix.com

Rfix AG
CH-3006 Bern
Tel. +41 (0)31 9318055
Fax +41 (0)31 9318056
office.bern@roefix.com

Serbia

Italy

Rfix AG
A-9500 Villach
Tel. +43 (0)4242 29472
Fax +43 (0)4242 29319
office.villach@roefix.com

Rfix AG
I-39020 Partschins - BZ
Tel. +39 0473 966100
Fax +39 0473 966150
office.partschins@roefix.com

Rfix AG
A-8401 Kalsdorf
Tel. +43 (0)3135 56160
Fax +43 (0)3135 56160-8
office.kalsdorf@roefix.com

Rfix AG
I-33074 Fontanafredda - PN
Tel. +39 0434 599100
Fax +39 0434 599150
office.fontanafredda@roefix.com

Rfix AG
A-4591 Molln
Tel. +43 (0)7584 3930-0
Fax +43 (0)7584 3930-30
office.molln@roefix.com

Rfix AG
I-25080 Prevalle - BS
Tel. +39 030 68041
Fax +39 030 6801052
office.prevalle@roefix.com

RFIX AG
A-4061 Pasching
Tel. +43 (0)7229 62415
Fax +43 (0)7229 62415-20
office.pasching@roefix.com

Rfix AG
I-21020 Comabbio - VA
Tel. +39 0332 962000
Fax +39 0332 961056
office.comabbio@roefix.com

RFIX AG
A-2355 Wiener Neudorf
Tel. +43 (0)2236 677966
Fax +43 (0)2236 677966-30
office.wienerneudorf@roefix.com

RFIX AG
I-12089 Villanova Mondov - CN
Tel. +39 0174 599200
Fax +39 0174 698031
office.villanovamondovi@roefix.com

Switzerland

Slovenia

Rfix AG
CH-9466 Sennwald
Tel. +41 (0)81 7581122
Fax +41 (0)81 7581199
office.sennwald@roefix.com

Rfix d.o.o.
SLO-1290 Grosuplje
Tel. +386 (0)1 78184 80
Fax +386 (0)1 78184 98
office.grosuplje@roefix.com

Rfix AG
CH-8953 Dietikon
Tel. +41 (0)44 7434040
Fax +41 (0)44 7434046
office.dietikon@roefix.com

Croatia

Rfix AG
CH-2540 Grenchen
Tel. +41 (0)32 6528352
Fax +41 (0)32 6528355
office.grenchen@roefix.com

Rfix d.o.o.
HR-10294 Pojatno
Tel. +385 (0)1 3340-300
Fax +385 (0)1 3340-330
office.pojatno@roefix.com
RFIX d.o.o.
HR-10290 Zaprei
Tel. +385 (0)1 3310-523
Fax +385 (0)1 3310-574

Rfix d.o.o.
SRB-35254 Popovac
Tel. +381 (0)35 541-701
Fax +381 (0)35 541-703
office.popovac@roefix.com
Montenegro
RFIX d.o.o.
MNE-85330 Kotor
Tel. +382 (0)32 336 234
Fax +382 (0)32 336 234
office.kotor@roefix.com
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Rfix d.o.o.
BiH-88320 Ljubuki
Tel. +387 (0)39 830 100
Fax +387 (0)39 831 154
office.ljubuski@roefix.com
Rfix d.o.o.
BiH-71210 I. Sarajevo
Tel. +387 (0)57 355 191
Fax +387 (0)57 355 190
office.sarajevo@roefix.com
Bulgaria
Rfix eood
BG-4490 Septemvri
Tel. +359 (0)34 405900
Fax +359 (0)34 405939
office.septemvri@roefix.com
RFIX eood
BG-9900 Novi Pazar
Tel. +359 (0)537 25050
Fax +359 (0)537 25050
office.novipazar@roefix.com
Kosovo
Rfix Sh.p.k.
KS-32000 Klina-Volujak
Tel. +377 (0)44 502692
office.klina@roefix.com
Albania
Rfix Sh.p.k.
AL-1504 Nikl Tapiz
Tel. +355 (0)511 8102-1/2/3
Fax +355 (0)511 24778
office.tirana@roefix.com

PP-029-RSOE-01/14

www.roefix.com

Rfix AG
CH-6035 Perlen
Tel. +41 (0)41 2506223
Fax +41 (0)41 2506224
office.perlen@roefix.com

construct with system