ANALYTICAL REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON THE MASONRY COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

Abstract

Masonry is a traditional building material that is still actively used in modern civil and industrial construction. Determining its strength characteristics, in particular in compression, remains an urgent task, since it is the compressive forces that are the main ones in load-bearing walls, columns and other masonry elements. The strength of masonry is influenced by a large number of factors: stone strength, geometric dimensions, correct shape of the stone, the presence of voids in the stone, mortar strength, deformation characteristics of the hardened mortar, mobility of the mortar mixture, adhesion of the mortar to the stone, filling of joints with mortar, dressing of joints, quality of masonry. One of the main problems is the lack of a single approach to determining the geometric parameters of the samples used in testing. Available recommendations: for prisms, a height of at least 400 mm (from 5 to 6 rows of stone) is recommended; for brick pillars, the recommended length is at least 2 brick lengths, the height is at least 3 rows of masonry, the minimum thickness is one brick, in addition, the height of the test specimen should be within 3 to 15 of its thicknesses and be no less than its height. The purpose of this study is to formulate scientifically based recommendations regarding the shape and dimensions of standard specimens, which will allow the most reliable assessment of the compressive strength of masonry based on the test results. For this purpose, an analysis of existing studies, methods and regulatory provisions was carried out.