Microstructure development of concrete, mortar, and paste scale of cement-based material (CBM) during the early hydration stage has a significant impact on CBM’s physical, mechanical, and durability characteristics at the high maturity state. The research was carried out using compositions with increased autogenous shrinkage and extended early age period, proposed within the RRT⁺ programme of the COST Action TU1404. The electrical conductivity method, used to follow the solidification process of CBM, is capable of determining the initial and final setting time, and the end of the solidification process acceleration stage for the paste and mortar scale. Simultaneous ultrasonic P- and S-wave transmission measurements revealed that the ratio of velocities V_P/V_S is highly dependent on the presence of aggregates—it is considerably higher for the paste scale compared to the mortar and concrete scale. The deviation from the otherwise roughly constant ratio V_P/V_S for each scale may indicate cracks in the material. The non-linear correlation between the dynamic and static elastic moduli valid over the three scales was confirmed. Additionally, it was found that the static E-modulus correlates very well with the square of the V_S and that the V_S is highly correlated to the cube compressive strength—but a separate trendline exists for each CBM scale.

Non-structural masonry partition walls, which are mainly designed to functionally separate spaces in the buildings and provide physical barriers between rooms, were traditionally built from either solid or hollow clay units or autoclaved aerated concrete blocks. Recent earthquakes have revealed the high vulnerability of these elements, even in the case of low to moderate seismic events. Public buildings (e.g., hospitals and schools) are particularly vulnerable. Due to their greater floor-to-floor heights and the response spectra of floors, the dynamic response of primary structure may provoke significantly higher seismic loads on partition walls. The main goal of the presented experimental study was to investigate the behavior of slender partition walls loaded out-of-plane with a simple and cost-effective approach that may be applied through routine refurbishment works. Eleven full-scale slender non-structural masonry partition walls were built with brickwork and cement–lime mortar. Eight of them were additionally strengthened with different techniques, including glass fiber-reinforcing fabric and low-cost glass fiber-rendering mesh. To evaluate the efficiency of the applied strengthening solutions, out-of-plane quasi-static cyclic experiments were conducted. By applying meshes over the entire surfaces, the resistance was significantly improved with the low-cost approach reaching half of the resistance of the commercially available strengthening system preserving the same displacement capacity.