Preliminary assessment of correlation between mortar hardness and brick masonry strength

Title: Preliminary assessment of correlation between mortar hardness and brick masonry strength
Author(s): G. Simundic, H.O. Sugo, A.W. Page, S.J. Lawrence
Paper category : conference
Book title: RILEM Symposium on On Site Assessment of Concrete, Masonry and Timber Structures - SACoMaTiS 2008
Editor(s): L. Binda, M. di Prisco, R. Felicetti
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-061-5
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-075-2
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2008
Pages: 673 - 682
Total Pages: 10
Nb references: 9
Language: English

Abstract: The Masonry Research Group at the University of Newcastle has recently completed a major study of the use of the Australian Standard Scratch Test to measure mortar surface hardness and therefore the potential mortar durability for Australian conditions (where freeze-thaw issues are not critical). The variables studied included cement content, sand type, sand grading, joint surface finish, mortar type and environmental conditions. A total of 3024 individual scratch tests were performed on 432, four courses high brick masonry prisms located either in the laboratory or in an exposed marine environment.
On the completion of this project, a supplementary study was carried out taking advantage of the large number of observations available, as well as the fact that destructive compression or bond wrench tests could now be performed on the masonry piers. A systematic study of the relationship between the site observed surface hardness and compressive/flexural strength of the masonry has been performed. The results of the supplementary study are presented and the reasons for the observed trends discussed.

Online publication: 2009-05-26
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00