INFLUENCE OF MASONRY COMPONENT CHARACTERISTICS ON COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF LOW STRENGTH CONCRETE BLOCK MASONRY
1 Department of Building, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
2 Department of Building, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
3 Department of Civil Engineering. Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria.
* Corresponding author: nsikakulaeto@uniuyo.edu.ng
2 Department of Building, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
3 Department of Civil Engineering. Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria.
* Corresponding author: nsikakulaeto@uniuyo.edu.ng
Abstract
Purpose: This study evaluated comparatively, the influence of block units and mortar
characteristics on the uniaxial compressive strength of low-strength concrete block masonry
prisms, with a view to understanding their behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach: Half scaled specimens of 450 mm x 225 mm block units were produced with which 36 concrete block prisms were constructed. Block prisms were tested for their uniaxial compressive strength, considering block unit compressive strength, width, and area of hollow of block units, as independent variables. Secondary data from prior tests reported in literature on the effect of mortar strength and mortar joint thickness on prism compressive strengths were also adopted for the study.
Findings: Results showed that increases in uniaxial compressive strength of low-strength block prisms resulted from increases in block unit strength, mortar strength and width of block unit, as well as decreases in area of hollow and mortar joint thickness. Block unit strength was found to be the most block prism strength-influencing variable with a linear regression unstandardized coefficient of 1.497, within a standard error of 0.235. Influence of all block and mortar characteristics considered were found to be significant at a 0.05 level of significance.
Research limitations/Implications: The study emphasized on block prisms with block to mortar bed depth ratio of 8.65. The study concluded that block and mortar characteristics had similar effects on low-strength concrete block prisms as they did on medium and high strength prisms though to varying degrees.
Practical implications: Therefore, predictive models applicable to medium or high strength masonry systems may not be a perfect fit to low strength masonry systems.
Originality/value: Models for predicting the strength of concrete block walls developed on the basis on these findings would contribute to accurate assessment of structures incorporating low strength concrete block walls.
Design/methodology/approach: Half scaled specimens of 450 mm x 225 mm block units were produced with which 36 concrete block prisms were constructed. Block prisms were tested for their uniaxial compressive strength, considering block unit compressive strength, width, and area of hollow of block units, as independent variables. Secondary data from prior tests reported in literature on the effect of mortar strength and mortar joint thickness on prism compressive strengths were also adopted for the study.
Findings: Results showed that increases in uniaxial compressive strength of low-strength block prisms resulted from increases in block unit strength, mortar strength and width of block unit, as well as decreases in area of hollow and mortar joint thickness. Block unit strength was found to be the most block prism strength-influencing variable with a linear regression unstandardized coefficient of 1.497, within a standard error of 0.235. Influence of all block and mortar characteristics considered were found to be significant at a 0.05 level of significance.
Research limitations/Implications: The study emphasized on block prisms with block to mortar bed depth ratio of 8.65. The study concluded that block and mortar characteristics had similar effects on low-strength concrete block prisms as they did on medium and high strength prisms though to varying degrees.
Practical implications: Therefore, predictive models applicable to medium or high strength masonry systems may not be a perfect fit to low strength masonry systems.
Originality/value: Models for predicting the strength of concrete block walls developed on the basis on these findings would contribute to accurate assessment of structures incorporating low strength concrete block walls.
Keywords
Block units
Concrete block prisms
Low-strength
Mortar
Uniaxial compressive strength.
How to Cite
W., U. N., C., E. U., & E., A. E. (2024). INFLUENCE OF MASONRY COMPONENT CHARACTERISTICS ON COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF LOW STRENGTH CONCRETE BLOCK MASONRY. Journal of Contemporary Research in the Built Environment, 8(1), 69-81. https://doi.org/10.68128/jocrebe.2024.eoxpa1pp
U. N. W., E. U. C., and A. E. E., "INFLUENCE OF MASONRY COMPONENT CHARACTERISTICS ON COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF LOW STRENGTH CONCRETE BLOCK MASONRY," Journal of Contemporary Research in the Built Environment, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 69-81, March 2024. doi: 10.68128/jocrebe.2024.eoxpa1pp
