Stress-StraIn Characteristics of Normal and Plastered Brick Masonry Under Uniaxial Compression and Shear

Abstract

Masonry has been used for over many years and has played fundamental role in the construction of structures throughout history and is still popular in many places around the world today. Masonry walls are either used as the masonry structure or as the infill walls in frame structure. This study investigates the stress-strain behavior of clay brick masonry using locally available materials in the Kathmandu Valley under uniaxial compression and shear. The primary objectives were to determine the stress-strain relationship of clay brick masonry with different cement-sand compositions (1:4, 1:5, and 1:6 ratios) and to evaluate the impact of plaster on masonry walls under various loading conditions. The research replicates real-world construction practices by conducting a detailed site study to ensure the use of locally available materials and accurate replication of actual practices. Experimental methods included Uniaxial Compression and Diagonal Shear Tests on both unplastered and plastered brick masonry prisms to evaluate their mechanical properties. The findings revealed that while plastering does not significantly affect the compressive strength of masonry walls, it has a notable impact on their shear strength. The study also highlights discrepancies between actual construction practices and codal provisions, suggesting that assumptions in standard codes may not fully align with real-world scenarios.