The Impact of Mortar Properties on the Compressive Strength of a Masonry Prism

\Masonry buildings remain popular worldwide due to their readily available materials, high compressive strength, ease of construction, and affordability. Therefore, understanding the impact of mortar on the compressive strength of masonry is essential. This study aimed to determine the compressive strength and failure patterns of masonry, focusing particularly on mortar. An experimental program was conducted, involving a total of ۵۴ specimens: ۲۷ cubes, ۲۷ cylinders, and ۹ masonry prisms. The cement-to-sand ratio (c/s) varied at ratios of ۱:۳, ۱:۴, and ۱:۵, while the water-to-cement ratio (w/c) remained fixed at ۰.۴۵. Each prism consisted of ۵ bricks separated by a ۱۰ mm mortar layer. Compressive strength data for cubes and cylinders were collected at ۳, ۷, and ۲۸ days, while data for prisms were collected only at ۲۸ days. The best results have been obtained at a c/s ratio of ۱:۳, with compressive strengths of ۳۵۵۵.۵ psi for cubes, ۳۲۸۲.۹۸ psi for cylinders, and a compressive force value of ۱۲۹.۳۳ kN for prisms at ۲۸ days. The compressive strength of cubes and cylinders increases by approximately ۶۸.۱۹% and ۶۴.۶۱%, respectively, and the compressive force of masonry prisms increases by approximately ۷۶.۴۸% at ۲۸ days when the cement-to-sand ratio is changed from ۱:۵ to ۱:۳. Stresses, graphs, and failure patterns have been analyzed and compared with the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) ۲۰۲۰ and available literature, revealing a strong correlation.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mortar ، Cement to Sand ratio ، Compressive Strength ، Prism ، Failure Pattern