Derivation of Empirical Relationships to Predict Cambodian Masonry Strength

Abstract

Masonry material characteristics, such as compressive strength, and the relationship between brick, mortar, and masonry compressive strengths are required for the analysis and assessment of masonry structures. This paper aimed to investigate the compressive strength relationship of Cambodian masonry. A total number of 42 prisms were constructed in the laboratory using six different brick/mortar combinations. Two brick types, solid and hollow, and three—1:3, 1:4, and 1:6—cement–sand mortar combinations were used. The effects of brick and mortar strengths were analysed. Using regression analysis, a simple empirical relationship was derived for masonry compressive strength as a function of brick and mortar strength in the Cambodian context.

Proposal of Empirical Equations for Masonry Compressive Strength: Considering the Compressive Strength Difference between Bricks and Mortar

“…) Among these equations, which exclusively consider the compressive strengths of brick units and mortar, it was observed that the D. Leo [26], Euro Code-6 [25], Kumavat [27], and Engesser [28] equations tended to overestimate the compressive strength, with mean values of f m(pre )/f m(exp) all greater than 1.00 for both Group 1 and Group 2. Conversely, the Kandymove [47] equation underestimated fm. Alternatively, the Brocker [45] equation demonstrated varying results between Groups 1 and 2, with the mean value closely approximating unity (1.09) for Group 1 masonry specimens, while Group 2 masonry specimens were overestimated by approximately 1.5 times.…”