Influence of the compatibility between mortars and concrete blocks on the behavior of mansory prisms

Abstract

The use of concrete block masonry for the construction of buildings is recurrent due to the economy and rationalization it provides to projects. However, the good performance of masonry depends not only on the quality of the materials used, but also on the interactions that take place between the unit and the mortar. In this research, we sought to analyze the characteristics of compressive strength and failure mode of concrete block prisms. Concrete blocks with nominal strengths of 8.0 MPa and 10.0 MPa were used, combined with six types of mortars (mixed and industrialized), of different strengths. In total, 36 prisms were built and tested. The experimental results indicate that the mortar prisms of lesser resistance failed in a ductile way, by crushing the mortar; intermediate mortar prisms gave the set rupture; while the mortar prisms more rigid than the block, broke frailly, mainly due to traction in the blocks. It is concluded that the specification of the mortars used in the execution of the masonry must be made not only according to their resistance, but also according to the type of block used, since the compatibility between these elements has a significant role in the performance of the set.