Entwicklungsfähigkeit von Mauerwerk aus baustofflicher Sicht

Development potential of masonry from the vantage point of the building material.

The development of masonry during the last decades was mainly influenced by ecological and economical factors. The requirements on the heat protection of buildings were continuously increased which results in a constant improvement of the heat insulation properties of masonry constructions. Increasing labour costs entail a progressing rationalisation of masonry which leads, among other things, to larger masonry units, improved mortar applying techniques or prefabricated wall components. Ecological aspects also come more and more to the fore. The production of wall materials should be resource-efficient and environmentally friendly. Parallel to the developments on the material side the behaviour of masonry and its components under load action is investigated with increased accuracy often with the use of numerical models. The objectives are a better understanding of the load bearing behaviour for a maximum exploitation of the masonry components, and consequently to save material.