EFFECT OF GROUTING ON THE STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS OF CONCRETE BLOCK MASONRY.
Abstract
Results for axial compression tests are reported for prisms composed of three half blocks, using different mortars and grouts. The prism test results indicate that the concept of matching the compressive strength of the grout and the masonry units is not sound and it is suggested that matching the deformational characteristics would be more efficient. It is shown that the concept of strength superposition highly overestimates the compression capacity of grouted masonry. Also, the compression results show that the mortar type is not the most significant parameter for grouted masonry whereas it is for plain masonry. Results for shear and tension tests are not presented but are referred to in order to comment on their respective behaviors. It is reported that the current Code provisions concerning allowable stresses for shear and tension for grouted masonry are very inconsistent in that they may either underestimate or overestimate the contribution of grouting for different situations.