Mortar Shrinkage and Flexure Bond Strength of Stabilized Soil Brick Masonry

AbstractThe bond development between the masonry materials is influenced by the characteristics of the masonry unit and the mortar. The mortar, sandwiched between the masonry units, undergoes shrinkage. The paper is focused on understanding the role of mortar shrinkage on the flexure bond strength of cement-stabilized soil brick (CSSB) masonry using cement-lime mortar (CLM). The mortar shrinkage was varied by varying the consistency/flow. Flexure bond strength of CSSB masonry prisms using CLM mortar having different flow values was measured. Relationships between the mortar flow and the drying shrinkage as well as between the mortar drying shrinkage and the masonry flexure bond strength were established. The results reveal that the mortar drying shrinkage increases with the increase in the flow or consistency of the mortar, and the relationship is linear. Also, the flexure bond strength of the CSSB masonry increases with an increase in the drying shrinkage of CLM mortar and the relationship is linear. The results suggest that it is better to use higher flow value mortars, for achieving better bond strength for CSSB masonry.