Studies on Influence of Variation in Joint Thickness on Strength of Masonry with the Emphasis in Bond Characteristics

Masonry structures have been utilized for a considerable length of time for a wide range of structures. The strength of masonry is governed by various factors such as shape and size of masonry unit, strength of masonry units—mortar, bonding of units and mortar, h/t ratio, and ratio of elastic modulus of unit and mortar. This article presents experimental and analytical investigations carried out using finite element analysis in Abaqus, to compare strength properties of brick masonry for varying mortar joint thickness of 10, 15, 20, and 0 mm. Physical and mechanical properties of the bricks were experimentally determined according to the specified code practices and are used to define the material properties in the FEA model. Plastic behavior of materials was defined by the concrete damage plasticity model which is available in FEA package. The study conducted exhibited increase in the mortar joint thickness and decreases the compressive strength and flexural bond strength of the masonry prism. Compressive strength of masonry prism decreased by 47% as mortar joint thickness increased from 10 mm mortar joint thickness to 30 mm mortar joint thickness. For every 1 mm increase of mortar joint thickness, flexural bond decreases by 0.48%.