Study of the compressive strength of concrete block prisms: stack and running bond

Abstract

The main goal of this work is to investigate the nonlinear behavior of concrete block masonry prisms under compression, with an emphasis in the prism deformability and the failure modes. A total of 18 stack-bonded prisms have been tested, using hollow blocks of a single geometry and two different mortar types. To investigate the effect of vertical joints, the bond pattern -stack and running bond -in the prism was varied, by using half units. Finite element analysis of hollow masonry prisms was done utilizing a commercial non-linear finite element code DIANA. The numerical simulation were carried out using non-linear two dimensional 8-node elements and the biaxial stress state material was modeled by a combination of the yield conditions of Rankine and Drucker-Prager. The numerical and experimental results were compared to validate the ability to predict deformation and peak load. The results show that an analytical model cannot be formulated without understanding the interaction between block and mortar. It was observed that: the non-linearities of the masonry correspond to an increase in the lateral strain due to extensive cracking of the material and a progressive increase in the ratio between lateral and axial strains.; the cracks in the three block stacked prisms constructed with a stronger mortar were vertical on both sides; the prisms constructed with a weaker mortar had, as a consequence of localized crushing, also vertical cracks due to stress concentration at some points; the presence of a vertical joint in the prism led to the appearance of separation cracks between the middle block and the vertical mortar joint.Keywords: concrete blocks, structural masonry, failure mode, compression behavior.O principal objetivo deste trabalho é investigar o comportamento não linear de prismas de blocos de concreto a compressão, com ênfase na deformabilidade e modo de ruptura. Um total de dezoito (18) prismas com blocos sobrepostos foram testados, usando blocos vazados com uma única geometria e dois traços de argamassa. Para investigar o efeito da junta vertical utilizaram-se dois meios blocos na junta intermediária dos prismas. Utilizou-se o programa comercial DIANA para simular em elementos finitos o comportamento da alvenaria estrutural. As simulações numéricas foram realizadas usando um elemento bidimensional de oito (8) nós e o estado biaxial de tensões do material foi modelado pela combinação das condições de Rankine e Drucker-Prager. Foram comparados os resultados numéricos e experimentais para validar a capacidade de prever as deformações e a carga última do conjunto. Pode se perceber pelos resultados que um modelo analítico não pode ser formulado sem um entendimento das interações entre o bloco e argamassa. Foi observado que a não linearidade da alvenaria correspondeu a um aumento nas deformações laterais devido à extensiva fissuração do material e a um progressivo aumento nas proporções entre a deformação lateral e axial; as fissuras nos prismas de três blocos construídas com argamassa forte foram verticais ...

Influence of strength behavior in brick masonry prism and wallette under compression

“…Concrete hollow block masonry buildings are currently being used conspicuously in many parts of the world. There is an urgent need to conquer experimental and numerical information of special bonding preparations [8].…”

Influence of Strength Behavior in Brick Masonry Prisms and Wallette Under Compression

“…Of these properties, the most essential is the compression strength because, in general, masonry partitions are submitted to greater excessive vertical masses than horizontal masses produced by means of wind or seismic activity. Concrete hollow block masonry buildings are currently being used conspicuously in many parts of the world and there is an urgent neediness to conquer experimental and numerical information of special bonding preparations (Mohamad et al, 2011).…”