Author(s)

M. T. Islam & V. Bindiganavile

Abstract

This paper evaluates the fracture parameters of bond in stone masonry units bound with plain and fibre reinforced mortar. Sandstone blocks were joined together with a modern Type S mortar conforming to CSA A 179-04. A companion series was examined employing a hydraulic lime mortar used in the repointing of historical masonry. Based on a previous study, polypropylene micro fibres were incorporated at up to 0.5% by volume to achieve superior crack growth resistance. The study reports relevant fracture parameters including the critical stress intensity factor, the critical crack length and the critical crack mouth opening displacements. The masonry units were subjected to quasi static flexure as per ASTM and dynamic bending via a drop weight impact machine which generated stress rates up to 107 kPa/s. The results show an improvement in the bond strength, but varied fracture performance between the Type S and hydraulic lime mortars, as a result of fibre reinforcement. Keywords: masonry bond, fracture analysis, fibre reinforced mortar.

Keywords

masonry bond, fracture analysis, fibre reinforced mortar