ResiBOND investigates polyurethane adhesive foams as alternative binders for masonry through experimental characterization and numerical modeling of material behavior, bonded interfaces and structural seismic response.
Vision
To support the development of masonry structures with improved ductility and seismic performance.
Aim
To develop and validate a multiscale numerical–experimental framework for the dynamic behavior and seismic response of masonry bonded with polyurethane adhesive foams.
Strategy
To combine rate-dependent material characterization, cohesive zone modeling of foam–masonry interfaces, and full-scale seismic testing for model validation.
Project context and collaboration
Masonry structures are widely used in civil engineering, but their seismic performance can be limited by brittle failure of the masonry and its bonded interfaces. The 2020 earthquakes in Croatia highlighted the urgent need for more resilient bonding solutions to enhance ductility, energy dissipation, and structural integrity of masonry. This project investigates polyurethane adhesive foams as alternative binders for masonry, focusing on their adhesion properties, rate-dependent behavior, and potential to improve ductility and energy dissipation through numerical modeling and experimental validation across scales.
A key challenge in applying polyurethane adhesive foams in masonry is developing and validating numerical models that capture the foams’ rate-dependent behavior, the mechanical behavior of foam–masonry interfaces, and the seismic response of bonded masonry structures. The project aims to develop a multiscale numerical–experimental framework integrating material-scale analysis via rate-dependent and viscoelastic characterization at the University of Rijeka and Oxford, contact-scale modeling with a cohesive zone model accounting for the effects of perforated masonry units, and assembly-scale validation through full-scale seismic tests at L.E.D.A. Laboratory in Enna.
The project includes plans to recruit two postdoctoral researchers and an additional PhD student, supporting early-career development and the establishment of a research group at the University of Rijeka. Collaboration with Oxford in high-strain-rate testing and with Wienerberger on industrial applications supports interdisciplinary research and collaboration between academia and industry.
By combining numerical modeling and experimental validation, this research aims to identify key mechanical parameters, validate contact models, and assess the seismic performance of bonded masonry structures. The findings are intended to support structural engineers, material manufacturers, and policymakers, inform future standards for ductile bonded masonry, and provide a basis for further research on resilient and sustainable construction.
Project information
Project leader:
Nina Čeh
Host institution:
Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka
Project period:
19 February 2026 – 18 February 2031
Funding:
Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ)