Optimization of structural brickwork laying joints in concrete blocks

One of the challenges in the investigation of structural masonry is the correlation between the thickness of the laying joints and the global resistance of the masonry. Many authors developed experimental correlations in the attempt to establish an analytical relation between the joint thickness and the resistance of the masonry. All these projects indicate that there are many parameters and considerations to be analyzed in the understanding this relation and in understanding the collapse of the masonry as a whole. Thus, in an attempt to contribute with this field of study, the present paper investigates the influence of the thickness of the mortar laying joint in the resistance of the masonry structure. With the objective of experimentally establishing a relation between the joint thickness and the resistance of the masonry, rupture trials were held to the axial compression of three block prisms laid with five series of thicknesses: 8mm, 12.5mm, 10mm, 15mm and 20mm. The physical and mechanic description of all the components that made up the masonry were done separately, complying with the regulations. Through a simplified statistical analyses, presented at the end of this study, values of resistance of each series of prisms associated to a specific thickness for the laying joint are shown. Through the comparison of the specific results of the analyzed specimen, we arrived at the suggestion of a better performance joint and it was also possible to establish a behavioral tendency, through the comparison of results, helping in the understanding of how the block-joint set behave monolithically from the determination of the individual characteristics of each element. Which is one of the keys that will permit the constructions of a behavioral model capable of assisting structural analysts in their structural masonry dimensioning techniques.