Mechanical behavior of brick masonry panels under uniaxial compression

Abstract

Structural design in masonry requires clear understanding of the behavior of the composite unit-mortar material under various loading conditions. The mechanical characteristics of brick masonry are influenced by the individual properties of the bricks and the mortar. The results of an experimental study focused on the properties of brick masonry using different combinations of bricks and mortars are presented in this paper. The strength and the elastic modulus of brick masonry under uniform concentric vertical loads have been investigated for strong mortar (M:1:3 cement-sand) and weak mortar (M:1:6 cement-sand) arrangements. The failure mechanisms of the infill walls with horizontal coring bricks have also been examined.