Analysis of Interlocking Block Masonry

The key contributors for global warming are the widely used construction materials such as cement and steel. Significant depletion in the natural resources has led to the scarcity of river sand as well. On the contrary, there has been an ever-increasing demand on supply of these key construction materials due to rapid urbanization across the world. This has envisaged the development of many alternatives to conventional construction materials. Interlocking block masonry units (IBM) and stabilized earth block masonry units (SEB) are one such alternatives which have been explored from quite some time. There are enough evidences on the rise of buildings constructed using these masonry units in the construction industry. The reasons for its popularity are due to the aesthetic appearance and affordability. Although there has been literature reported on the studies of IBM and SEB [1‐4], there is a need to revisit the behavior of these masonry units due to its wide usage in the construction industry. Hence in this study, experimental and analytical investigations have been carried out to compare the compressive strength between interlocking block masonry (IBM) and stabilized earth block masonry (SEB). Finite element model (FEM) for IBM and SEB has been created using the concrete damage plasticity model to simulate the inelastic material behavior. Analysis is carried out for prisms and walls under axial compression and cost estimation for construction of wall is conducted. The results indicate that interlocking block prisms without mortar joint has lower load-bearing capacity as compared to stabilized earth blocks with mortar joint. IBM is more cost effective to construct than SEB wall.