The influence of mortar strength on the mechanical behavior of ceramic and concrete structural masonry blocks

This paper analyses the influence of mortar strength on the mechanical behavior of ceramic and concrete structural masonry blocks. Experimental tests of uniaxial compression were carried out on blocks as well as prisms, with mortar strengths lower, higher and within the limits of the Brazilian standard recommendation. The characteristic resistance of prisms (fpk) was lower than the blocks (fbk) in all combinations. The lowest decreases in strength occurred for both materials in the prisms with mortar strength within the limits indicated by the Brazilian standard. In addition, the ceramic materials were more sensitive to the variation on the mortar strength when compared to the concrete blocks.