SEDL / STP / STP871-EB / STP34544S

Influence of Mortar Materials on the Flexural Tensile Bond Strength of Block and Brick Masonry

Gazzola, E
Master of engineering students, research engineer, and professor, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario

Bagnariol, D
Master of engineering students, research engineer, and professor, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario

Toneff, J
Master of engineering students, research engineer, and professor, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario

Drysdale, RG
Master of engineering students, research engineer, and professor, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario

Pages: 12    Published: Jan 1985

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Abstract

This paper reports on 475 tests for the influence of mortar materials on the flexural tensile strength of brick and block masonry for tension normal to the bed joints. The bond wrench testing technique was used to test each joint of the prisms. The results indicated significant decreases in tensile bond for mortars made with portland cement and masonry cement instead of portland cement and lime. Tests using sand with a gradation near the middle of the gradation limits (sieved concrete sand) and the available masonry sand that has more than the maximum percent passing a 600-μm (No. 30) sieve showed that the masonry sand produced slightly better tensile bond. In addition, flexural tensile bond strengths from both laboratory- and field-prepared prisms were compared with results obtained by removing bricks from the top of a brick wall. The average strengths and the influence of variability are discussed in terms of behavior and in terms of possible design code approaches.