EFFECTS OF MORTAR THICKNESS AND DURABILITY ON THE MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF BRICKWORK (KEY IJP************135)

• Irtiza Ayoub,Er. Rekha Devi

Abstract

To improve our comprehension of their behavior, performance, and design principles, we must get more information about brickwork structures. Devoted study efforts are required due to the distinctive qualities and difficulties of brickwork, including material variability, mortar properties, and structural complexity. Despite extensive study on masonry buildings, the impact of mortar thickness has received very little attention. It is clear that there haven't been any comparative studies looking at the impact of thickness and mortar type on compressive and shear durability . The majority of studies have mainly examined the compression durability of masonry buildings, ignoring other crucial factors like shear durability and diagonal strain.Through a focus on the following goals, this study seeks to fill the current research gap. It first aims to investigate how various mortar types affect the durability of clay brickwork. The second goal of the research is to look at how clay brick masonry's durability is affected by joint thickness. The research also intends to assess the brickwork's shear response. For a precise evaluation of the structural performance of masonry pieces, it is essential to comprehend the shear behavior.This study project's technique included a number of crucial elements. At first, basic components like cement, sand, lime, and bricks were purchased and tested to determine their qualities. The next stage included carefully constructing samples like brickwork prisms, brick triplets, and a wall. To guarantee appropriate hydration, these samples were cured under specified circumstances. The study reveals that mortar durability has a significant impact on the brickwork's flexural and shear durability s. Cement grout exhibits higher durability compared to lime mortar, with differences of approximately 253% in compression durability and 255% in shear durability . Increasing mortar thickness initially improves compression durability , but exceeding the optimal range leads to a decline. Similarly, shear durability decreases with increased mortar thickness. The diagonal tension test demonstrates the superior shear durability of cement grout compared to lime mortar at a thickness of 13 mm. These findings underscore the importance of mortar durability and optimal thickness in determining the mechanical behaviour of brickwork structures.