Influence of joint thickness and strength of mortars on the compressive behavior of prisms made of normal and high-strength concrete blocks

Abstract This work developed compression tests of 120 prisms in order to investigate the influence of joint thickness and compressive strength of job-site mixed and preblended mortars on strength and stiffness of masonry made of normal and high-strength concrete blocks. Experimental results distinguish the effects of joint thickness on the behavior of prisms made of units considerably weaker than mortars and vice versa. Comparisons between the effects of joint thickness on prisms made of job site mixed and preblended mortars were firstly stablished. Results also show that the impacts of joint thickness are significantly greater in elements constructed with high-strength blocks.