Experimental evaluation for a novel concrete masonry wall without mortar paste

This study proposes that a modular concrete masonry wall system can attain sufficient compressive and shear strength without mortar paste. Two types of concrete block module were used; 1) module A: 400x200x200mm, 2) module B: 133x133x200mm. Module B reinforce shear resisting performance by inserted inside of module A with different height. To examine the seismic resisting performance of the concrete masonry wall system, prism test and diagonal shear test were conducted to obtain the compressive strength and shear strength. The experimental results were compared with the values presented in design code for unreinforced masonry wall to verify structural safety of proposed concrete masonry wall system. There is no standard for dry concrete masonry wall system, so compressive and shear strength were compared based on wet method. The results indicate that the concrete masonry wall system meets the current design criteria for unreinforced masonry only for the compressive strength even without mortar paste. The shear strength of proposed concrete masonry wall system is equivalent to 74% of the shear strength based on wet method with mortar paste.