Investigation of properties of different types of coating mortars and their impact on the behavior of ceramic block prisms

Abstract

The use of rationalized masonry in building construction is increasing due to process optimization and waste reduction, with performance linked to the quality and interaction of materials. This research analyzed the influence of the properties of mixed, industrialized, and stabilized rendering mortars applied to prisms composed of two ceramic blocks. The mortars were characterized in their fresh and hardened states, and their rheological behavior was evaluated using the squeeze-flow method on three different surfaces. The tensile bond strength of the mortars was determined, and the prisms, with and without coatings, were subjected to compression tests. The results showed that a greater mortar spread did not directly impact adhesion and revealed an increase in the compressive strength of the prisms with the application of the rendering layer, which was more pronounced in mortars with better mechanical performance, though not proportionally. In most cases, the failure mode of the prisms was ductile, accompanied by detachment of the mortar coatings. These findings contribute to the understanding of masonry performance and help mitigate issues caused by failures in rendering systems.