Abstract:
A masonry infill wall is a common cell in a concrete framed building. More importantly the bond between concrete and masonry has considerable effect to the performance of
infill masonry walls and hence to the frame structure itself. Therefore, understanding of the element
interaction between concrete and masonry become very important and has become a topic of
considerable researchinterest in the past few decades. Many researchers have tried to represent this
interaction numerically. However, reliable numerical analysis can be achieved only with the correct
mechanical properties which are obtained experimentally.
This paper presents the results of a series of experimental studies carried out to determine the tensile
and shear behaviour of concrete masonry interface relevant to the Sri Lankan brick masonry. Tests
were carried out in accordance with ASTM standards. In this study, the effect of the mortar
designation and the joint thickness on the bond was also investigated. From the results, it can be
concluded that properties of the bond is significantly affected by the roughness of the brick used and
workmanship apart from the mortar designation and joint thickness. Also it can be recommended to
use 10 mm mortar joints in construction, since both shear and tensile strength of the joints get
reducedwhen the joints become thicker, irrespective of the mortar designation.
Citation:
Premadasa, P.K.S., Liyanage, S.K., Ariyarathna, H.D.A.R., Induprabha, S.A.D., & Dilrukshi, K.G.S. (2011). Experimental approach to investigate concrete-masonry interface. In N. Ratnayake (Ed.), Proceedings of the Civil Engineering Research for Industry Symposium 2011 (pp. 27-32). Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa.