Study on Compression Strength of Masonry Prism Using Cementitious Grouting Material as Mortar

Masonry constitutes masonry units and mortar. Masonry carries predominantly compressive forces and the compression strength of a prism mainly depends on the strength of the masonry units and it is less sensitive to the strength of the mortar. Literature reveals that the compression strength increases with an increase in bond strength. So an attempt is made to study the effect of an increase in the strength of mortar and bond strength by using commercially available cementitious grouting material as mortar in order to achieve the requirement. Five brick height masonry prisms corresponding to the height-to-thickness ratio (h/t) of 3.95 is used to ascertain the compressive strength at 3, 7, and 28 days. The mortar joint thickness was limited to 5 mm with grouting material as mortar, with the intention of faster construction. The compression test results are compared with the conventional mortar of 1:3. The results such as compressive load and strain were ascertained in the saturated condition. Masonry prism with conventional mortar showed more brittle failure than grouting material as mortar.