Brick Wall Research Articles

One-head masonry panels reinforced with industrial-waste fiber reinforced mortar: Investigating the effect of bed joints and coating reinforcement in the diagonal compressive behavior

Construction industry is a human activities that most contributes to the world pollution. Recent studies conducted by the EU Commission in 2019 highlighted that buildings and construction materials are responsible for 39% of the global emissions of carbon dioxide and 50% of the raw materials extraction, as well as one-third of the world’s drinking water consumption. Analyzing the world of recycling mineral fibers, authors found that glass and basalt fibers from recycled waste, among other things, request less energy to obtain new filaments when compared to virgin fibers production. In this way, one can obtain a consistent reduction of energy consumption for building or retrofitting structures. In particular, authors explore in this study the benefits of using mineral fibers from recycled sources for strengthening brick masonry walls, carrying out diagonal compressive tests of one-head brick panels retrofiited with chopped fibers reinforced mortar. The aim of this study is twofold: understanding which type of chopped fibers is the most effective when dispersed in the mortar mix, i.e. basalt or glass fibers, and recognize the optimal location of the fiber reinforcement mortar with respect to the masonry panels. Under this perspective, three different set of panels are tested: (i) the reinforcing mortar is placed within the mortar joints of masonry panel; (ii) the reinforcing mortar is disposed as a double reinforcing layer on both the surfaces of the masonry panel, but the mortar joints are made out of plain mortar; (iii) the reinforcing mortar is placed both within the mortar joints of masonry bricks and as a double reinforcing layer on the surfaces of the masonry panel. Results are compared with reference panel made out of plain mortar and show that the most effective strengthening system is the one enriched by chopped basalt fibers. Generally, fiber reinforced mortar effectively strengthens both the loading and the post-peak capacity of the masonry panels, above all when used as coating layer on the external surfaces.

Shifting boundaries, dismantling brick walls: Feminist knowledge in the struggles to transform economic thinking and policy

Shifting boundaries, dismantling brick walls: Feminist knowledge in the struggles to transform economic thinking and policy

Experimental investigation of size effect on unreinforced concrete brick masonry walls under in-plane shear loading

The size effect is one of the primary structural characteristics exhibited in reinforced concrete (RC) members in shear. Even though numerous studies have been conducted on masonry walls under shear, very few studies have been conducted that definitively answer whether a size effect exists for masonry walls. Diagonal compression tests on two groups of masonry walls with different dimensions were conducted to investigate the size effect on concrete brick masonry walls. A total of sixty masonry wall panels were tested. Five bed-joint mortar mix properties were used for each specimen. Test results showed that four failure modes were observed: diagonal tension failure, combined failure, sliding failure, and toe-crushing failure. In particular, the diagonal tension strength was significantly related to the specimen size. The larger specimen size led to a lower shear strength. Also, the shear modulus was highly dependent on the specimen size. Through experimentation, this study demonstrated that masonry walls exhibit a size effect. Moreover, the size effect is valid only in cases of diagonal tension failure. Based on the test results, this study revealed a correlation between diagonal tension strength and wall size. Lastly, the adequacy of the predictions was compared to the existing masonry codes.

A Numerical Simulation Study on the Out-of-Plane Performance of Timber Framework–Brick Wall Systems in Traditional Residential Buildings of Northern China

To improve the out-of-plane collaborative performance of timber frames and walls, a metal connector is proposed and designed. A finite element model of the wall is established, and the composite block damage criteria and surface contact behavior are validated. Additionally, one group without metal connectors and three groups with different numbers of metal connectors placed at various positions in traditional residential wall models are established. Using static loading simulation, the influence of different numbers of metal connectors on the out-of-plane damage patterns, deformation characteristics, and shear force distribution is analyzed. The study reveals that top metal connectors significantly reduce the out-of-plane displacement of the top wall by up to 84.6%. Metal connectors have a significant impact on the deformation capacity of brick walls, with a maximum enhancement of 65.3%. The metal connectors in the middle and lower parts transfer the wall loads to the columns, increasing the horizontal shear at the column head by approximately 7%. The connectors in the middle and lower parts effectively improve the collaborative performance of brick walls and wooden frames.

An integrated life cycle assessment and energy simulation framework for residential building walling systems

Designing building wall systems is a multi-criteria problem characterised by a complex interplay of variables that drive long-term energy and environmental performance. Achieving holistic sustainability outcomes will require the application of life cycle thinking to the design and evaluation of building walling systems. However, the aspiration for minimising operational and embodied energy and mitigating the environmental impacts requires conflicting strategies. Therefore, this study proposes a comprehensive, integrated life cycle and energy simulation (ILES) methodology for analysing different walling systems of residential buildings in India and Australia. This method involves performing a process-based life cycle assessment to compute the environmental impacts of various walling materials, followed by energy modelling to evaluate the performance of these materials in the operational phase of buildings in combination with embodied energy analysis, which accounts for energy consumption during the material manufacturing phases. The results reveal that insulated cavity-clay masonry or concrete walls with extruded polystyrene are favourable Australian walling options, while metal cladding-based walling systems have significant environmental and energy burdens. For India, autoclave aerated block, fly ash bricks, and concrete block-based walling systems are recommended, while reinforced concrete and clay brick walls exhibit significant environmental and energy burdens. This study also advocates the consideration of supply chains in mitigating Scope 3 emissions from building walling systems in residential buildings.

Dynamic behaviors of unreinforced and spray polyurea retrofitted brick masonry infill walls under blast loads: Shock tube test and analyses

Unreinforced masonry infill walls (MIWs) are prone to crack, fragment, and even collapse under blast loads, threatening the safety of building structures, as well as the inside occupants and equipment. Spray polyurea (SPUA) has been proven to be an excellent retrofitted material for MIWs to improve their blast resistance. Aiming to study the dynamic behaviors of brick MIWs under far-field range blast loads, the successive blast tests on seven unreinforced and SPUA-retrofitted brick MIWs with different thicknesses and boundary constraints were first carried out based on the developed compressed air-driven large cross-section (3m×3 m) shock tube. It was indicated that the blast resistance of MIWs significantly improved by increasing wall thickness and strengthening boundary constraint; SPUA coating can improve the blast resistance of MIWs and effectively suppress the debris generation and splash. Then, the equivalent single degree of freedom model based theoretical calculation and the simplified micro-model based numerical simulation methods previously established by authors were briefly introduced. Additionally, the dynamic behaviors of seven examined MIWs were further predicted and compared with test results, which verified the applicability of theoretical calculation and numerical simulation methods. Finally, the improved damage and failure evaluation criteria of unreinforced and SPUA-retrofitted MIWs were given, and the charge weight and standoff distance diagrams of typical MIWs were proposed based on the validated theoretical and numerical methods as well as the improved criteria, which would provide a helpful reference for blast-resistant evaluation and retrofitted design of brick MIWs.

Structure and age of ancient walls from the city of Nan, northern Thailand

The structure and age of remains of two ancient walls located in the city of Nan, a former part of the Lanna Kingdom in modern northern Thailand, were investigated. The remains differ in appearance with a well-preserved brick wall present at Mahawong Road (MHW), while an earthwork with a brick reinforcement core is found at Phaya Wat Temple (PWT). We employed an electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey and optically stimulated luminescence dating (OSL) to determine the buried structure of the earthwork at the PWT site and the production age of bricks from both locations. The ERT results reveal lateral heterogeneous resistivity domains cross-cutting the wall, which presumably relates to the construction of a dam. According to OSL dating, the PWT wall was likely built during the time of the war with Burma that ultimately resulted in a foreign occupation of Nan in the sixteenth century. This structure played a role in both flood mitigation and military defence of the city. The structure at MHW represents a city wall that was built at the end of the nineteenth century after Nan was relocated to its present position and rather reflects representative and social needs.

ESTABLISHING THE RELIABILITY LEVEL OF MASONRY BEARING STRUCTURES BASED ON ITS COMPONENT STRENGTH ANALYSIS

The article discusses aspects related to assessing the reliability of masonry structures. The authors present methods for determining the compressive strength of masonry in existing structures, taking into account reliability theory. We also consider practical solutions for calculating the design strength of masonry, which may help to assess the safety of massive brick walls and pillars that act as core structural elements of existing buildings. Thus, walls and pillars operating in compression are vital elements of stone buildings and require special attention when analysing and assessing their strength. They carry enormous loads and are critical to the stability of the entire structure. There are cases when it may be hard to obtain safe samples for testing masonry mechanical performance, making the analysis of existing masonry structures difficult. However, building codes and methods provide specific methods for determining the strength of existing structures based on reliability theory. These methods assume uniformity of masonry with regularly spaced brick layers. Although such assumptions may simplify the analysis, they can still provide sufficiently accurate results for making decisions about the safety and reliability of the building. It is essential to consider all possible factors and limitations when using these methods to ensure a reliable assessment of the condition of masonry structures. Stone materials are among the most traditional in various areas of construction production. Buildings with brick load-bearing walls represent the lion’s share of the existing housing development in Ukraine. Ensuring its high-quality operation and the safety of residents during the life cycle of such buildings are priority areas. However, changes occurring in the external environment and the state of regulatory support for construction production require a periodic return to the issues of assessing the load-bearing capacity of both previously erected building structures and those under design. Thus, lately, the territories with previously unusual force impacts on building structures, such as horizontal displacements of the base of the building, have significantly expanded. The reasons for this include seismic activity in certain regions of the country and the results of anthropogenic factors, particularly the areas with unstable soils. We should note that many buildings and structures are subject to external influence due to military operations on a large territory of Ukraine. So, in the event of a hit by warheads or the action of a blast wave, they generate new, non-typical, but dangerous effects on the load-bearing structures of the entire building. Keywords: reliability theory, reliability assessment, structural safety, stone structures, masonry strength.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BRICKS AND MORTAR IN DETERMINING THE STRENGTH OF MASONRY WALLS

Brick masonry walls are a type of construction that is in great demand, because the material is easy to obtain at a cheap price. Additionally, the process does not require any special skills. The strength of the wall is greatly influenced by the strength of the materials that make it up, namely bricks and mortar as adhesive. The role of bricks and mortar in creating wall strength needs to be investigated for their effectiveness. This research aims to obtain an overview of the effectiveness of the role of bricks or mortar in forming the compressive strength of masonry walls. To get the illustration in question, a compressive strength test of mortar, brick and masonry walls was carried out which was represented by masonry prism test objects referring to ASTM C1314-07. The test results are then compared to get an idea of the relationship between the three. From the research results it can be concluded that the compressive strength of masonry walls is determined more by the compressive strength of the bricks, but is also influenced by the compressive strength of the mortar. The higher the compressive strength of the mortar, the compressive strength of the wall will increase, but it is not significant. Therefore, the use of high strength mortar is less effective in increasing wall strength.

Utilization of Quicklime and Limboto Lake Sediment as Basic Materials for Brick Walls

This study is based on knowing the compressive strength of bricks. The objectives that can be achieved are to analyze the characteristics of brick walls using lime, sedimentary soil and clay as well as conventional bricks and evaluate the comparative cost of making conventional bricks and lime-mixed bricks plus sedimentary soil. In this study, Data obtained from testing and analyzed quantitatively using appropriate statistical methods. This analysis will help in understanding the relationship between the composition of the mixture, the manufacturing process, and the characteristics of the resulting bricks. From the results of the analysis, the water absorption of bricks mixed with sedimentary materials, clay and lime. variation of sample 1, where the sample mixture (75% / 20% / 5%) water absorption is (29.72%) variation of sample 2, where the sample mixture (50% / 45% / 5%) water absorption is (9.45%) and Sample 3, (25% / 70% / 5%) water absorption is (9.22%). and clay bricks or without a mixture (100%) is (8.25%). This shows that the absorption capacity of mixed bricks of sediment, clay and lime materials which only have two variations 2 and 3. Meet the requirements of SNI 15-2094-2000 which requires a maximum water absorption capacity of 20% of bricks. While the average compressive strength comparison value of mixed bricks of sediment, clay and lime materials. sample variation 1, which sample mixture (75%/20%/5%) compressive strength value (13.6 kg/cm2) sample variation 2, (50%/45%/5%) which compressive strength value (19.8 kg/cm2) and sample 3, (25%/70%/5%) which compressive strength value (7.4 kg/cm2). and clay bricks without a mixture (100%) namely (36.4 kg/cm2). The compressive strength value of mixed bricks of sediment, clay and lime materials. Does not meet the minimum compressive strength requirements for building earthquake-safe houses (≥30).

Calculating Flanking Transmission for Improved Airborne Sound Insulation in Buildings

The complexities of airborne noise insulation in tropical buildings provide challenges for predicting the value of airborne noise in buildings. The analysis employs standardized metrics, the Weighted Sound Reduction Index (DnT,w), to evaluate the impact of wall, floor, and ceiling combinations on acoustic performance. Notably, the study addresses the persistent challenge of flanking transmission, contributing to disparities between predicted and measured values. This study focuses on common construction materials in Indonesia. The outcomes reveal that lightweight construction materials, such as lightweight brick walls, consistently exhibit superior sound reduction, emphasizing their potential benefits in tropical regions. Additionally, the choice of ceiling materials, particularly gypsum board over wooden ceilings, significantly influences acoustic outcomes

CO2-sequestering ability of lightweight concrete based on reactive magnesia cement and high-dosage biochar aggregate

Lightweight concrete is widely used in non-structural components of buildings, e.g., partition wall bricks. Most current lightweight concretes engage Portland cement and lightweight aggregates. In this study, lightweight concretes based on reactive magnesia cement (RMC) and high amount of biochar aggregates (up to 508 kg/m3, 61 vol% of the concrete) are developed. The new material demonstrates the ability to sequestrate massive amounts of CO2 from ambient air, and thus has the potential to be used for greener non-structural applications. The CO2 sequestration during curing under high-concentration CO2 (10 %), which is mainly via the RMC carbonation, is determined by acid digestion. The CO2 sequestration during service under ambient CO2 concentration (0.1%, or 1000 ppm), which is via the continued carbonation of RMC and the adsorption of biochar, is determined by monitoring the removal of CO2 in situ; particularly, the CO2 sequestrations by the RMC and the biochar are determined separately. The effect of varying biochar content and CO2 curing time on the overall CO2 sequestering ability of the concrete are studied, together with the variation of the local CO2 sequestration with carbonation depth in the concrete. Based on the experimental results, the new concretes are seen to achieve adequate mechanical properties for non-structural application. They can permanently sequestrate a significant amount of CO2 during the curing phase (0.2–0.3 g per gram RMC), and constantly sequestrate noticeable amounts of CO2 during the service stage (1–12 mg per gram RMC, 1 mg per gram biochar). The incorporation of porous biochar not only decreases the material density, but also improves the RMC carbonation by accelerating CO2 penetration, while the RMC barely influences the biochar adsorption. However, the RMC carbonation ability permanently vanishes with curing age, whilst the biochar adsorption decreases marginally with the curing age.

Thermal performance analysis of hollow brick walls in hot and dry climatic zones

Thermal performance analysis of hollow brick walls in hot and dry climatic zones

Damage evolution and failure mechanism of masonry walls under in-plane cyclic loading

Masonry structures often exhibit poor seismic performance during earthquakes owing to their low material strength, structural integrity, and ductility. To address the mechanism of in-plane damage and collapse of masonry walls subjected to earthquake ground motion, three full-size brick walls, one with structural columns and two without structural columns, were designed and constructed in this experimental study to quantitatively investigate the effect of structural columns on the seismic performance of masonry walls. Quasi-static tests of masonry walls subjected to cyclic lateral loading were conducted using electrohydraulic servo actuators. The in-plane damage evolution and failure mode of the masonry walls under lateral loading were investigated. A numerical model with a novel plastic damage constitutive model of masonry was established. The accuracy of this model and the calculation results were verified by comparing them with the crack development and mechanical property curves obtained from the experiments. Based on the numerical model, a parametric analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of critical factors, such as mortar strength, vertical load, and height-to-width ratio, on the seismic performance of masonry structures. The test results showed that structural columns can effectively improve the performance of masonry structures. Properly installed structural columns can improve the peak load-bearing capacity, ductility, and energy dissipation of masonry structures. The masonry damage constitutive model used in this study could simulate the damage to masonry wall specimens well and reflect the hysteretic curves of the specimens within an acceptable range of accuracy. Thus, it provides a valuable reference for physical experiments. An appropriate mortar strength and vertical compressive stress can effectively enhance the load-bearing capacity of masonry structures within a certain range. For structural column walls. Walls with mortar strengths (average compressive strength) of 12.5 MPa, 10 MPa, 7.5 MPa, and 5 MPa showed an increase in peak bearing capacity of 26.2 %, 23.9 %, 18.5 %, and 9.4 %, respectively, compared to walls with mortar strengths (average compressive strength) of 2.5 Mpa. The aspect ratio had a significant impact on the shear load-bearing capacity of the masonry walls. An increase in the aspect ratio led to a transition from shear failure to flexural failure and a subsequent decrease in shear load-bearing capacity. For masonry walls with structural columns, increasing the diameter of the longitudinal steel in the structural columns can enhance the load-bearing capacity of the masonry wall, resulting in a significant improvement in its overall performance.

The Influence of Various Commonly Used Building Materials on the Shielding Effectiveness, Reflection and Absorption of the Electromagnetic Wave

People spend two-thirds of their time in buildings. Building materials are, therefore, natural shielding for us. Many studies describe the shielding effect of non-building materials. This study evaluates the shielding effectiveness (SE) of electromagnetic fields for various building materials over a frequency range of 1 GHz to 9 GHz. Measurements of SE, reflection (R), and calculated absorption (A) were conducted to determine the shielding properties of mineral wool (MW), hardened polystyrene (PT), extruded polystyrene (PE), polyurethane board (PUR), brick wall (BW), brick wall filled with mineral wool (BW-MW), and concrete wall. The results demonstrate that MW, PT, PE, and PUR exhibit low SE and R, indicating minimal shielding capabilities, with absorption values that do not significantly deviate from the level of measurement uncertainty. Conversely, BW, BW-MW, and concrete wall materials exhibit high SE, with notably increased absorption at higher frequencies, highlighting their potential for effective EMI shielding. Particularly, the concrete wall presents the highest absorption values, making it a superior choice for shielding applications. Reflection trends revealed a plateau for BW in the 6 GHz to 9 GHz range, indicating a frequency-dependent behavior of shielding mechanisms. This study underscores the importance of balancing reflective and absorptive properties in shielding materials and suggests that composite materials may offer enhanced performance. The findings of this research provide guidance for the selection and design of shielding materials in environments with a frequency spectrum of electromagnetic frequencies from 1 GHz to 9 GHz.

Effects of tree density variations on outdoor heritage conservation: Numerical study of an ancient brick city wall with four orientations

Trees possess the potential to safeguard outdoor cultural heritage through the regulation of microclimates in their surroundings. The Leaf Area Index (LAI), a collective measure of the foliar portion within vegetation structure, reflects the regulatory ability of trees. In this study, numerical simulations were performed to compare the hygrothermal conditions of the Nanjing City Wall facing four orientations under the influence of evergreen trees with four LAI values, while also assessing the potential risks of salt weathering and algal growth. The results were as follows: 1) under the protective canopy of trees with identical LAI, the west and east walls experienced the highest temperature fluctuations, followed by the south and north sides. Wall surface temperature fluctuation was negatively correlated with LAI; 2) except for LAI = 1.5, the north wall had the least water content fluctuation under equivalent LAI levels. Water content fluctuation generally exhibited a decreasing trend with rising LAI; 3) at the same LAI level, the south wall presented the highest risk of salt weathering (including efflorescence and subflorescence), whereas the north wall faced the lowest risk. The risk of salt weathering decreased with an increase in LAI; 4) When shielded by trees with identical LAI, the north wall exhibited the greatest risk of algal growth, while the east wall faced least the risk. Higher LAI values were associated with an increased risk of algal growth on the wall surface. These results could provide a theoretical basis for large outdoor immovable heritage conservation and plant management around heritage sites.

Robotization of “in situ” acoustic measurements

Currently, “in situ” acoustic measurements require a high level of human involvement. Measurements are carried out by technicians or engineers, and most of the time, two people are required. MJM Acoustical Consultants Inc. has explored the possibility of using an autonomous and semi-autonomous robotic solution to assist in the measurement process. Developed in partnership with university Polytechnique Montreal, the research project consists of developing a software platform and hardware for a mobile robot capable of moving around, locating itself and performing measurements using a Type I sound level meter. The prototype generates its own local area network (LAN), making it possible to send commands through high-density partitions such as brick walls or concrete floors remotely from a laptop. Localization system such as a laser remote sensing system allows the robot to navigate around obstacles. Its low noise level when stationary makes it ideally suited to conduct common standard tests such as impact noise isolation, airborne sound attenuation between rooms and background noise level measurements. Through tests carried out on field sites, the solution developed constitutes an effective instrumentation to make acoustic measurements sessions more efficient with a reduced level of human operation.

A smooth horizon without a smooth horizon

Recent observations on type III algebras in AdS/CFT raise the possibility that smoothness of the black hole horizon is an emergent feature of the large-N limit. In this paper, we present a bulk model for the finite-N mechanism underlying this transition. We quantize a free scalar field on a BTZ black hole with a Planckian stretched horizon placed as a Dirichlet boundary for the field. This is a tractable model for the stretched horizon that does not ignore the angular directions, and it defines a black hole vacuum which has similarities to (but is distinct from) the Boulware state. Using analytic approximations for the normal modes, we first improve upon ’t Hooft’s brick wall calculation: we are able to match both the entropy and the temperature, exactly. Emboldened by this, we compute the boundary Wightman function of the scalar field in a typical pure state built on our stretched horizon vacuum, at an energy sliver at the mass of the black hole. A key result is that despite the manifest lack of smoothness, this single-sided pure state calculation yields precisely the Hartle-Hawking thermal correlator associated to the smooth horizon, in the small-GN limit. At finite GN, there are variance corrections that are suppressed as Oe−SBH/2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{O}\\left({e}^{-{S}_{BH}/2}\\right) $$\\end{document}. They become important at late times and resolve Maldacena’s information paradox. Highly excited typical pure states on the stretched horizon vacuum are therefore models for black hole microstates, while the smooth horizon describes the thermal state. We note that heavy excited states on the stretched horizon are better defined than the vacuum itself. These results suggest that complementarity in the bulk EFT could arise from a UV complete bulk description in which the black hole interior is not manifest.

New Coal Char-Based Building Products: Manufacturing, Engineering Performance, and Techno-Economic Analysis for the USA Market

Common building products, i.e., thin brick and stone veneer, add the look of brick walls or the enduring charm of natural stones into buildings and houses without imposing a substantial increase in structural load. This study investigates the mechanical strength, durability, and economic feasibility of producing innovative char-based thin bricks and stone veneers. The char-based thin brick vacuum treated with hydrophobic liquid exhibits water absorption rates within the 4–7% range, displays durability against 50 freeze–thaw (F-T) cycles, and maintains a saturation coefficient below 0.6. In contrast, commercial thin bricks have water absorption of 9–12%. Treated char-based stone veneer has water absorption of 5.3% and an average compressive strength of 19.2 MPa, maintains its structural integrity throughout 50 F-T cycles, and exhibits a negligible linear shrinkage of approximately 0.01%. In contrast, commercial stone veneers have water absorption of 10–16%. These engineering properties meet the criteria as per ASTM standards C1088 and C1670 for thin brick and stone veneer, respectively. A techno-economic study was preliminarily conducted to examine the potential cost efficiency and cash flow in manufacturing these char-based building products. The manufacturing cost of USD 25.83 is lower than the average market price of 64.65 USD/sq. m. for thin bricks. The manufacturing cost of USD 32.65 is lower than the average market price of 129.17 USD/sq. m. for stone veneers. These comparisons present a compelling economic advantage for their commercialization. This comprehensive study has demonstrated the advantages of sustainable char-based stone veneers and thin bricks regarding engineering performance and economic benefits.

‘Hit me like a brick wall’: women’s accounts of balancing cancer survivorship with fertility concerns while dealing with gynaecological cancer

Objective This study explored the impact of gynaecological cancer on women’s expectations for motherhood, their concerns regarding their fertility, and how they negotiated these concerns in the survivorship context. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 Australian women with gynaecological cancer, aged between 27 to 53 years, who were on average five years post-diagnosis (range 1–10 years). Thematic discourse analysis, from a material-discursive-intrapsychic approach, was used to explore how women narrated their fertility-related concerns in the broader social and healthcare contexts. Results While narrating their experiences of having gynaecological cancer, the women in our study negotiated their accounts within two competing discourses – the pronatalist discourse and the survivorship discourse. Women’s talk appeared conflicted by the social expectation to become a ‘good’ mother and focus on ensuring their fertility, while also managing the ‘survivorship’ imperative to focus exclusively on ‘fighting’ and beating cancer. Many women struggled to negotiate their fertility concerns and treatment decisions because of these two competing discourses. Conclusion Dominant discourses around survival and prioritising motherhood create enormous conflict for women with gynaecological cancer coping with fertility concerns. Helping women to develop meaningful narratives is needed, particularly for women with ovarian cancer.