Elastic modulus and strength of hollow

concrete block masonry with reference to the

effect of lateral ties
F. M. Khalaf,* BS~, MSC, PhD, A. W. Hendry,@&, POD, FICE, and
D. R. Fairbairn,t BS~, PhD, MICE
NAPIER UNIVERSITY: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

This paper presents the results ofan experimental inves- g volume of aggregate per unit volume of mix
tigation to derive a formula for the short-term static hb brick/block height: mm
modulus of elasticity E,,, of unfilled and filled concrete mortar joint thickness: mm
blockwork masonry. The formula is based on the mod- 2 cube compressive strength of block material:
lrlus of elasticity of each individual material used in the N/mm2
construction of blockwork masonry. The eflects of using fc cube compressive strength of concrete infIll:
Iateral ties as reinforcement on the behaviour, ductility N/mm2
and strength of concrete blockwork masonry are also x characteristic compressive strength of masonry:
investigated. N/llUI12
fm cube compressive strength of mortar: N/mm2
fm ultimate compressive strength of blockwork
Notation masonry: N/mm2
net area of concrete infill: mm; a WL = 0.45 (for 1Omm mortar joint)
: gross area of prism: mm2 fP diameter of reinforcement: mm
i modulus of elasticity of brick unit: N/mm2 r 0.25
Eb secant modulus of elasticity of hollow block,
derived from unfilled three-course high half-
block prism with I-2mm dental plaster joints: lntrodnction
N/mm2 (see Table 2) Many previous attempts have been made to find a
4 secant modulus of elasticity of concrete infill, formula for the modulus of elasticity of brickwork and
derived from three-cube specimen: N/mm2 (see blockwork masonry. Sahlin related the modulus of
Table 2) elasticity of brickwork masonry to the moduli of both
4 modulus of elasticity of aggregate: N/mm2 the brick and the mortar using the following theoreti-
4 modulus of elasticity of mortar joint: N/mm2 cal equation
J% secant modulus of elasticity of 1Omm mortar
joint, derived from unlYled two-course high
full-block prism: N/mm (see Table 2)
ai= (1 - d)/Ej1 + a/&, 4 G Eb (1)
modulus of elasticity of masonry: N/mm2
k secant modulus of elasticity of mortar, derived hb
from a three-cube specimen: N/mm2 (see Table a = - (2)
h,+hj
2)
4 modulus of elasticity of cement paste: N/mm2 In order to determine the modulus of elasticity Ej of
the mortar joint, 2Sahlin quoted the expression sug-
gested by Hansen for two-phase material (referring to
Dqarbmt of Civil and Transportation Bngineerin& Napier Uni- concrete) and given by the following equation
vmity, hrchiston. 10 Colinton Road, Bdinburgh, EHlO ZDT,
+igLtmentofcivil~ngalldBuilding~univum.~
ofEdiibur&. The Kings Buildings. Bdinburgh, BH9 UL, UK.
i$= (1 - g&, + g/E, (3)

185
lvhalaf et al.
Table 1. Ehtic modulus E;, for concrete masonry
Nctamacomptwsivc Modulus of eltMticity+
8trengtll of mlits: E,.: N/mm
N/mm
TypcN
mortar
241.4 - 24 138
34.5 19310
27.6 17931
20.7 15 862
15 172
17.2
13.8 12414
IO.3 10345
+Lii intcqmlation permitted.
Most other researchers and standards relate the
modulus of elasticity of masonry to the ultimate com-
pressive strength f, of masonry. Although relating
the modulus of elasticity to the masonry strength is
irrelevant theoretically, it does have some practical
value.
The British Code of Practice BS 5628 relates the
short-term modulus of elasticity for clay, calcium sili-
cate and concrete masonry, including reinforced mas-
onry with infill concrete, to fk as follows
Em = fJW!
The American Masonry Standard (AC1 530-88/
ASCE S-88) derives the modulw of elasticity of mas-
onry from a table which relates the net area compres-
sive strength of units and the type of mortar.4 This is
shown as Table 1.
E,,, can also be determined from the secant modulus
of elasticity taken between 0.OSf,' and 0.33fd by test
on prisms in accordance with the prism test method of
AC1 530.1/ASCE 6-88 and ASTM E 447-84.
The Canadian Standard CSA-CAN3-S304 recom-
mends that the modulus of elasticity of unfilled mas-
onry be expressed as follows
Em = lOOOf, < 20685 N/mm2
Based on experimental data, Hatxinikolas et al.
recommended a conservative value for the modulus of
elasticity of unfilled masonry as follows
E,,, = 75Of,'
Feeg et ~2.7 suggested that the modulus of elasticity
of filled blockwork masonry be expressed as follows
Em, = SOOf;
To study the effect of lateral ties, Feeg et al. tested
reinforced blockwork masonry short columns under
concentric load. All the columns were of 400mm
nominal cross-section and 144m high. Some of the
col~nswereconstructedusing4OOmm x 2OOmm x
200mm blocks. The column cross-section consisted
of two blocks laid in running bond. Other columns
were built using 400 mm x 400 mm x 200mm
single-core pilaster concrete block units. Face-shell
bedding was used and a mortar joint thickness of
1Omm was maintained throughout. The block unit
thickness restricted the placement of the horizontal
reinforcement to a spacing of 200mm; on the other
22069 hand, the mortar joint thickness restricted the size of
20000 the tie reinforcement to be placed in the mortar joint.
17241
16552 Tie diameters used in this investigation were 3.77,
15 172 4.76 and 6.35 mm. The variables investigated were tic.
11035 diameter and tie location within the mortar joint,
either in contact with the vertical reinforcement or in
the mortar joint between the block outer shells.
The test results showed that increasing the tie dia-
meter increased the strength of the column, compared
with columns with no ties. This increase in strength
was also accompanied by a decrease in the amount of
vertical cracking at failure. No significant difference in
strength was observed between columns having ties in
contact with the vertical reinforcement and those
which did not, although tie strains were larger for tiet
located in the mortar joint. Rust was also noted on
ungalvanixed ties after failures of columns where they
had been placed in the mortar joint.
Sahm tested under axial load blockwork masonry
prisms with helical confinement reinforcement at the
(4) core. The test specimens were constructed from con-
crete block units, 200 mm square and 200mm high,
The units were horizontally laid, and the masonry
prisms were built to have flush mortar joints of nomi-
nal thickness 9.5 mm. After construction, helical rein-
forcement, consisting of mild steel wire of diameter
52mm with a core diameter of 108 mm centre-tc-
centre was placed inside the prism and the core wss
grouted.
The observed mode of failure for the ungrouted
prisms was tensile splitting, which was initiated in the
central concrete block. The mode of failure for the
grouted prisms (splitting of the units and compressive
failure of the core) was similar to that of the ungrout-
(5) ed prisms, but not as explosive. Cracking was initiated
at 70-75% of the ultimate capacity. Cracking of
prisms, reinforced with confinement wire, started at
the top or bottom block at about 45-55% of ultimate
load. The sudden failure was replaced by a more
0% ductile failure. An increase in the compressive strength
of the prism of between 30 and 38%, compared with
unreinforced prisms, was achieved by introducing
helical confinement reinforcement.
Sturgeon et aL9 carried out tests on concentric load-
(7)
ed nine-course high blockwork masonry columns. The
short columns were constructed using 400mm x
400mm x 200mm singlecore pilaster units, and
were tested to failure. Full mortar bedding was used
and a joint thickness of 1Omm was maintained. The
horizontal reinforcement was placed within the
mortar joint of the cross-section. All lateral ties were
fabricated from 6mm diameter plain steel. The
authors concluded that the introduction of lateral
reinforcement resulted in an increase in the ultimate
strength of the column of 8-28%.
This Paper presents the results of an experimental
investigation carried out to derive a formula for the
short-term static modulus of elasticity E,,, of concrete
blockwork masonry. The results of tests on eighteen
axially loaded unfilled, filled and laterally reinforced
blockwork masonry columns are reported.

Experimental programme
The short stack-bonded blockwork masonry col-
umns were constructed and tested under axial load to
study the mechanism of failure, to determine the
strength, to derive a formula for the modulus of elas-
ticity, and to study the effect of lateral ties. The col-
umns were divided into two main series: full-block
(390mm x 190mm) cross-sections; and half-block
(190 mm x 190 mm) cross-sections. The coltins
were all six-course high with a slenderness ratio of
6.26.
One type of mortar (1: O-25 : 3), and one type of
concrete infill (1: 3 : 2) were used in the construction of
the columns. The columns were constructed by an
experienced mason, thus ensuring the complete filling
of the 1Omm horizontal mortar joints between the
concrete blocks. The block at the base of each column
was a bond beam type (Fig. l(a)) in which the end
shells and mid-web had been removed to make it
possible to remove the column of mortar remaining
after construction. The type of block was provided by
the supplier; the rest of the column blocks were either
full- or half-blocks. The full-blocks for the laterally
reinforced columns were provided with 20mm wide
and 20mm deep grooves, cut with a diamond saw at
the sides of the block mid-webs (Fig. l(b)), to accom-
modate the lateral ties. It was not possible to obtain
blocks with such grooves from the supplier, but blocks
with a 20 mm or larger dip in the mid-web (Fig. l(c)),
can easily be produced by using a steel mould with
such dips, as is the case with various different shapes
and types of concrete block on the market.
The placement of lateral ties at the mortar joints
was avoided because previous studies6had shown that
placing lateral ties at the mortar joints produces a high
concentration of tensile splitting stresses around the
Fig. 1. T&es of concrete block wed in column
tics, resulting in a reduction in the compressive construction: (a) bond beam; (6) stan&.vd; (c) standkrd
strength of the masonry assemblage. Also, placing the with mid-web dip
lateral ties at the mortar joints means that concrete
blocks with thicker shells are required to comply with
the required concrete cover to the reinforcement. and 20mm deep grooves during construction. In the
The lateral ties were placed in every course during case of half-block columns, taking advantage of block
the construction of the columns, including the top and tapering, the dimensions of the lateral ties were made
bottom sides, to prevent any local failure. This gives a slightly smaller than the half-block wide core. This
nominal spacing of 189 mm. The lateral ties, for the enabled the ties to be held in the hollow cores, fhst by
full-block columns, were placed in the 20mm wide friction and then by mortar after the construction.
 Two steel brackets, 25 mm wide and 6 mm thick,
were placed in prepared positions at the first and fifth
mortar joints. These brackets were used later to mount
two electrical displacement transducers (LVDTs) on
both sides of the column to measure changes in length
with the load increments.
After construction the six-course high columns were
left for four days under polythene sheeting to allow
the mortar joints to gain in strength. The columns
were then filled with concrete which was batched by
volume, mixed to a high slump of 150 mm, then cast
in two layers. Each layer was compacted using a
25mm poker vibrator until full compaction was
attained. The surface of the concrete inftll was then
trowelled level. After casting, the specimens were left
to cure under polythene sheeting for fourteen days.
The polythene was then removed, and the specimens
left for a further fourteen days to cure under ambient
conditions in the laboratory before testing.
Twelve of the eighteen full- and half-block columns
built were unreinforced columns, tested either unfilled
or filled, under axial load to determine the short-term
static modulus of elasticity E,,, of the blockwork mas-
onry. The rest were filled reinforced columns tested
under axial load to study the effect of the lateral ties.
The mechanical properties for the materials used in
the construction of the blockwork masonry columns
were determined as follows (Table 2).
Concrete block
The mechanical properties for hollow blocks were
determined by testing three blockwork masonry
prisms. Each consisted of three-course high half-block
prisms separated and capped with a I-2mm dental
plaster joint inserted between the half-blocks and bet-
ween the prisms and the machine platens. This thick-
ness was achieved by mixing the dental plaster with
water in a plastic bag to the desired workability. A
spirit level was used to adjust the specimen. The soft
dental plaster was then compressed by the machine to
accomplish the desired thickness.
Double-axis (vertical and horizontal) elect&l
strain gauges were mounted at mid-prism height on
two opposite sides of the prism. A computer strain
logger was used to record the strain continuously
throughout the test until prism failure.
Unit half-blocks were tested in compression to de
termine their mechanical properties. Solid full-blocks,
cast at the same time as the hollow blocks, were also
compressed parallel to the bed face to compare their
mechanical properties with the hollow units. Solid
blocks, sawn to the dimensions of a 190mm x
190 mm x 190 mm cube, were tested in compression.
The average compressive strength was then adjusted
for specimen sire to determine the block material
cube strength fb.
Concrete inJill
To determine the contribution of concrete infill to
the modulus of elasticity II,,, of blockwork masonry,
eighteen three-course high prisms, nine full-block and
nine half-block, were constructed using a 10 mm thick
polystyrene sheet inserted between the blocks to sim-
ulate a zero strength mortar joint. The prisms were

Table 2. Material me&mica1 properties

Matelial spcciInens or llmecllbes Density: Tangent secant* Poisson ratio
singlc-cubc specimen kg/m modulus of modulus of
atrcngtb: strength: elasticity: elasticity: Initial Maximum
N/l2ld N/Uld N/mm* N/lid stlws strws

Block
Solidt 24.3 - - 2113 19118 13014 O-20 025
Prism$ 21.9 - - 2127 33 100 28977 0.15 020
Half-block 25.7 - - 2127 38 054 38 054 0.13 0.18
cbncrete
1:5:2 8.8 8.3 7.2 1978 6032 4674 044 0.33
1:3:2 225 17.2 165 2034 16033 11444 0.18 04
1:1:2 42.1 37.8 32.9 2286 28 320 17 180 0.14 0.22
Mortar
1:1:6 8.1 8.0 69 1798 5603 3696 0.26 040
1:@5:4~5 16.5 14.6 12.5 1875 10250 5ooo O-22 0.35
1:025:3 26.6 25-0 21.7 1948 14119 8140 0.18 0.25
1omm nmarjoiar
1:1:6 - - - - 2m 1232 - -
1:0.5:4*5 - - - 4100 2652 -
l:Q25:3 - - - - 5500 4037 - -

+!kant modulus of ehaticity at 3 maximum eomprrasive &engtb of spaSma.

tCt~bc comprcssivc stmgtb of block materials = 24.3N/mm2.
#UniYlaI thrceeoursc high half-block prism with 1-2mm dental plaster jolntn.
 then filled with three di&rent concrete infill strengths:
low-strength (1: 5 : 2), medium-strength (1: 3 : 2) and
high-strength (1: 1: 2) cement : sand : aggregate pro-
portions by volume. The method used for casting and
curing the prisms was similar to that used for the
blockwork masonry columns. The prisms were then
tested under axial load up to failure.
To determine the mechanical properties of the
prisms with different concrete infill strengths, spe-
cimens consisting of three 1OOmm x 1OOmm x
100 mm steel moulded cubes, separated and capped
with a thin (I-2mm) layer of dental plaster prepared
by the same method as for the hollow blocks, were
tested in compression. Vertical and horizontal strains
were recorded continuously, using a data logger,
on two opposite sides of the prism. Single steel
moulded cubes and cytinders were also tested in
compression to compare results and determine the
material strengths.
Mortar
To determine the contribution of mortar to the
modulus of elasticity E,,, of blockwork masonry, un-
filled two-course high full-block prisms were con-
structed, with a 1Omm mortar joint between the
blocks, to determine and compare the confined verti-
cal stress versus strain curve of a 1Omm joint with
values obtained by testing either three steel moulded
cube specimens or mortar cylinders. Three types of
mortar were used in the construction of the prisms:
low-strength (1 : 1 : 6), medium-strength (1 : 05 : 45)
and high-strength (1 : 0.25 : 3) cement : lime : sand pro-
portions by volume. The mortar was batched by vol-
ume and mixed to a suitable workability for block
laying. After construction, the prisms were cured
under polythene sheeting for fourteen days. The pol-
ythene was then removed and the specimens were left
for a further fourteen days to cure under ambient
conditions in the laboratory before testing. Electrical
strain gauges of 10 mm length were mounted on the
mortar joint at two opposite sides of the prism to
record the strain for the confined 10 mm mortar joint.
To determine the mechanical properties of the three
different types of mortar, as for the concrete infill,
specimens consisting of three 1OOmm x 1OOmm x
1OOmm steel moulded cubes separated and capped
with a thin (l-2 mm) layer of dental plaster were
tested in compression. Single steel moulded mortar
cubes and cylinders were also tested in compression to
compare results and to determine the material
strengths.
Before testing, all the specimens were capped with a
thin (I -2 mm) layer of dental plaster prepared by the
method explained above. The rate of loading for test-
ing the blockwork specimens was in accordance with
BS6073 : Part 1: 198 I . The loading pattern for all the
specimens was in accordance wtih BS 1881: Part
121: 1983 to enable the determination of the static
modulus of elasticity.3
DitxmsioIl of resalts
Modes of failure for jidl- and half-block columns
A common feature was observed in the modes of
failure for all the unfilled and filled full- and half-block
columns tested. In checking the mortar joints at dif-
ferent locations after failure, it was observed that the
m0rt.m had been reduced to a powder at certain stages
of the loading process.
All unfilled full- and half-block columns displayed
a longitudinal block shell splitting type of failure.
Full-block columns showed a greater tendency to split
along the column end shells than the side shells, with
crushing and shearing of the block mid-web. The
columns showed an abrupt mode of failure, with no
signs of major cracks during the loading process until
failure.
The mode of failure for the filled full- and half-
block columns was dominated by block shell-concrete
infill separation and lateral deformation, with some
signs of block shell, mortar and concrete infill crush-
ing near one of the mortar joints. The mode of failure
was leas abrupt than for the unfilled columns. Some
signs of cracking were observed at the column mid-
height in the block end and side shells at 8&90% of
ultimate load.
The mode of failure of columns reinforced with 6
and 8 mm diameter lateral ties differed only from that
of the filled unreinforced columns. The concrete cores
remained intact even after all the block shells were
crushed and had deformed outwards (Fig. 2). The
failure was more ductile, with no complete collapse at
ultimate load, as was the case with unreinforced col-
umns. Some signs of block shell cracking was ob-
served at 80-90% of ultimate load. Full-block col-
umns reinforced with 10 mm diameter lateral ties
showed premature splitting of the block side shells and
crushing of the concrete cores. This may have been
caused by some stress concentration caused by the use
of ties of larger diameter.
Short-term static mod& of ekuticity of blockwork
masonry
Any changes in length over the four courses of the
unfilled and filled blockwork masonry columns were
measured using two electrical displacement trans-
ducers (LVDTs) mounted on steel brackets on oppo-
site sides of the columns. The readings from these
transducers were recorded continuously until failure
using a data logger. The average changes in length
were then divided by the gauge length to convert the
readings to strain over the four courses of the column
height. Figures 3 and 4 show typical vertical stress
 0 lJntllled full-bkxk column
Cl Filled full-block column
E,,,=20383N/mm*(unfllled)
E,,,=2316!5N/md(filled)

15.0 20-O 25-o 304

Strain x lo,,

Fig. 3. Typical stress versus strain curves for unfilled and

filled taweinforced fdl-block masonry columns

The modulus of elasticity of filled blockwork mss-

onry is difficult to determine owing to the presence of
the concrete infill. Figure 5 was plotted to study
separately the contribution of the concrete infill to the
strength and modulus of elasticity of blockwork mas-
onry; this figure relates the strength of three-course
high full- and half-block prisms with polystyrene
joints to the concrete strength. Two relationships arc
Fig. 2. Mode of faihue of j&block rmisonry cohmm shown in Fig. 5: the first is based on the concrete infill
reinforced with 8mm diameter lateral ties net area A,, equal to 19 272 mm* for full-block prisms
and 9636mm* for half-block prisms; the second rela-
tionship is based on the prism gross area A,, equal to
versus strain curves for the unfilled and filled full- and 74 IO0 mm* for full-block prisms and 36 100 mm* for
half-block columns, respectively. half-block prisms.
From the process of loading and unloading, the Based on the prism gross area, Fig. 5 shows that for
average short-term static modulus of elasticity for a wide range of concrete infill strengths (86-352N/
three of each unfilled and filled, full- and half-block mm*) the increases in strength of full- and half-block
masonry columns was determined (see Figs 3 and 4 prisms, namely 179 and 123%, respectively, are less
and Table 3). than the increases in strength of the concrete infill,
Based on the results of the present study and on the namely 297, and 174%, respectively.
theoretical expression suggested by Sahlin, the mod- Based on the net area of the concrete infill for
ulus of elasticity of unfilled blockwork masonry can be half-block prisms, Fig. 5 shows that the strength of the
determined as follows concrete infill increased by 45, 28 and 18%, corres-
1
Em =
(1 - S)/aE,, + b/E,,,
Table 3. Comparison of exl: Hmental and theoretical values
In this expression the value of a is the average of of&
three types of mortar (1:1:6, l:O-25:3 and
Column type E,,, (experimental)
1: 05 : 45) and was found to be equal to 0.45 for a (tXpCiiCWl,): (thco~oai)*:
1Omm mortar joint. For mortar joints of different N/IN+ N/mm2 & (thuwctical)
thicknesses, the value of a can be found by testing
specimens similar to the ones used in this investigation Full-block
Unfilled 20383 21535 o-95
to determine Em,, and EB. The value of a takes into Filled 23 165 24396 o-95
consideration the thickness of the mortar joint and the
Half-block
effect of the concrete block confinement. It is expected UnfillCd 20 952 21535 0.91
that the value can be used in general for all unfilled Filled 233m 24396 o-96
blockwork masonry built with hollow concrete
blocks. +Dcrivcd from equations (8) and (IO).
 in the percentage increases in concrete stmngth sug-
-------- ----------- - ---
gest that the concrete block provides more confine-
ment to the softer concrete infill than to the stiffer
20-o -
concrete infill. Also, soft concrete deforms more later-
ally than stiff concrete, owing its high Poisson ratio.
%
--_l-_l-_l--- - -w---e-- i .-- The formula, derived from a line passing through
E 15-O- the results of both the full- and half-block prisms with
ii polystyrene joints (Fig. S), and based on the prism
g,o.o- gross area, is as follows
//

0 lJnfllkd hnlf-bbdr column fA = @25f, + l-3 (91

0 Flnedhd-bbkwlumn
&,,=209!2N/m~(unRlled)
23 320 N I mm* (filled)
Sfain x lo-
Fig. 1. Typical stre.w ver.rc.strain curves for un$&d and
j&d unreinforced half-block masonry columns
ponding to concrete cube strengths of 12*9,20*2 and
3S*2N/mm2, respectively. This is due to confinement
of the concrete by the block units. The same trend was
also observed in the full-block prisms. The differences
The gradient of this line is 0.25, which represeuts the
contribution of the concrete infill to the strength of the
three-course high prism with polystyrene joints. The
constant value of 1.3 N/mm2, which is the intersection
of the broken line with the Y-axis, indicates that the
unfilled blockwork masonry prism has some strength
even when the mortar joint strength approaches zero.
Since the contribution of the concrete infill to the
strength of filled blockwork prisms is only 25%, it
may be assumed that the concrete inflll will contribute
the same percentage to the modulus of elasticity. On
this basis, the short-term static modulus of elasticity of

0 !so 100 t&ilOIE;gd ao-0 .95-o 400

8Yg. 5. E#kct of concrete injill strength on #l&d thm-corowse h&h prims strength
with polystyrene joints
 TWe 4. Strain measurements
ColUmn Lateral ties+ Yield A=mF Average
trpe nominal dia.: strain tran8ducon horizontaltier
mm x lo- strain x lo- strain x IO-
FW-block
Untilled - - - 23.3 -
Filled - - - 13.1 -
Filled 6 441.5 21 16.4 5
Filled 8 527.9 26 15.6 3
Filled 10 519.1 26 IO.9 2
Half-block
UllflUcd - - - 21-9 -
Filled - - - 12.3 -
Filled 6 441.5 21 17.3 3
Filled 8 527.9 26 166 2
Filled 10 519.1 26 18.9 4
*6 mm dia. lateral ties, hot rollcd plain low-yield steel bars; 8 mm dia. lateral tics, hot rollcd dcformcd high-yield steel bars; 10 mm dia. lateral
tics, hot rolled &formal high-yield &ccl bars.

filled bloclcwork masonry can be expressed as follows
1
Em =
(1 - @/a&,, + S/Eb + rE- (lo)
The above two formulae for E,,, were found to give
excellent results when compared with the average ex-
perimental values obtained for the modulus of elastic-
ity of unfilled and filled blockwork masonry (Table 3).
Strain meawements
Table 4 gives the results of the average strain mea-
surements, for the concrete over four courses of the
column, and also for the lateral ties, obtained during
tests on both the unreinforced and reinforced col-
umns.
All values of average strain reported herein repre-
sent measurements taken either at ultimate load or at
the limit of the ascending load versus strain curve.
Although the strain was monitored continuously
during the loading process, it was difficult to monitor
the strain over the descending part of the load versus
strain curve owing to the sudden failure of specimens
caused by the sudden release of energy stored in the
machine at failure.
The strain values recorded over four courses for the
unreinforced full- and half-block columns indicate
that the strain in a filled column is 44% lower than
that for an unfilled column, suggesting that the
amount of shortening over four-courses of a filled
column is lower than that for an unfilled column. This
can be attributed to an increase in stiffness resulting
from the presence of the concrete infill.
Full-block columns, reinforced with 6 and 8mm
diameter lateral ties, show an increase in the recorded
strains over four courses of 25 and 19%, respectively,
compared with filled unreinforced columns. This
means that the laterally reinforced columns are mere
ductile than the filled unreinforced columns. On the
other hand, columns reinforced with 10 mm diameter
lateral ties show a decrease of 17%, compared with
filled unreinforced columns. The decrease in strain
may be due to failure of the column caused by the high
concentration of tensile splitting stresses around the
lateral ties near the block mid-webs: this resulted in
premature splitting of the column side shells. There
high splitting stresses are related to the size of the
lateral ties used.
Half-block columns, reinforced with 6.8 and 1Omm
diameter lateral ties, show increases in the recorded
strains over four courses of 41, 35 and 54%, resprc-
tively, compared with filled unreinforced columns.
The increase in strain for the half-block column, rein.
forced with 1Omm diameter lateral ties, supports the
explanation given previously for the decrease in strain
of the full-block column reinforced with IOmm dia-
meter lateral ties, namely premature splitting of the
block side shells.
The strain measurements for the ties in the laterally
reinforced full- and half-block columns show that
these values are all less than the yield strain of the steel
(Table 4). A maximum strain value of 5 x lo- wsa
recorded on the 6mm diameter ties.
Cohmn strength
Table 5 gives values of the compressive strength of
all the unreinforced and laterally reinforced full- and
half-block columns. The table shows that the com-
pressive strength of the filled unreinforced full- and
half-block columns (based on gross area) decreases by
13 and 33%, respectively, compared with unfilled ccl-
umns (based on net area). This reduction is mainly due
to the presence of the concrete infill, which applica
T&le 5. Compressive strength of unreiqforced ond laterally retiforcedjdl-block ond hoof-black columns
colmnn Lateral tial ultimate Avoragecom~w SD.: Material cube
type nominal dia.: load: strength? N/mm2 N/llU212 OOlllpressive
mm kN atmgtbt: N/mm2

NOtUXl Groasarea Mortar Ill5U

f, f.
tYndnforced hl-block$
Ud%d - 72a.9 17.5 9.8 Os/o*31 27.1 -
Filled - 1128.5 - 15.2 o-92 271 21.6
Laterally reirsorad full-block$
Filled 6 1328.7 - 17.9 - 28.6 18.3
Filled 8 1327.2 - 17.9 - 28.6 18.3
Filled 10 10*5 - 14.0 - 28.6 18.3
Unreinforced half-blockg
Unfilled - 465.1 23.4 12.9 0.78/@43 -
Filled - 561.4 - 15.6 o-96 19.7
I
Laterally reiniorced half-bloc&j
Filled 6 570.8 - 15.8 - 179
Filled 8 586.0 - 16.2 - 17-9
Filled 10 676.6 - 18.7 - 17.9

*Avungc and S.D. for unreinforced colmnna are calculated for three specimens.
fCubc compressive strength of block material fb = 24.3 N/mm.
$Not arca = 41700mm2. gross ama = 390 x 190 = 74 100mm2.
metarea = 19900mm2. gross area = 190 x 190 = 36100mm2.

tensile stresses as a result of the high value of the
Poisson ratio of the concrete.t20 These large tensile
stresses result in the failure of the column before
attaining the apparent material strength of the block&.
The strength of the unfilled full-block columns, on
the other hand, is 25% less than that of the half-block
columns. This is caused by differences in the aspect
ratio l/t (column length-to-thickness) and mortar bed-
ded area between the full-block columns (l/t = 2.05)
sad half-block columns (l/t = 1.0). A small difference
ia compressive strength was observed between the
Bled full columns and half-block columns.
Table 5 also shows that the compressive strength of
the full-block columns, reinforced with 6 and 8mm
diameter lateral ties, is 18% more than the strength of
the filled unreinforced columns. On the other hand,
columns reinforced with 1Omm diameter lateral ties
fail at a compressive strength which is 8% less than
that for filled unreinforced columns. This increase in
column strength can be attributed to the confinement
of the concrete infill by the lateral ties. These confine-
ment stresses cause a reduction in the harmful tensile
stresses exerted on the block shells by the concrete and
an: not a result of any increase in the concrete
8Wxqth. The decrease in strength of the column rein-
forced with 10 mm diameter lateral ties may be due to
premature failure of the column as a result of the high
concentration of splitting stresses around the lateral
ties, as explained above.
On the other hand, the half-block columns show a
clear tendency to increase in strength, by 1, 4 and
20%, with provision of lateral ties of diameter, 6, 8
and lOmm, respectively.
As with the case of filled unreinforced columns, no
significant difference in strength was observed bet-
ween the laterally reinforced full- and half-block col-
umns. The only anomaly is the full-block column
reinforced with 1Omm diameter lateral ties, which
shows a lower strength than the corresponding half-
block column, for the reason mentioned above.
conchsio~
A semicmpirical formula (equations (8) and (10))
has been proposed to determine the short-term static
modulus of elasticity of unfilled and filled blockwork
masonry.
The presence of lateral ties changes the mode of
failure of blockwork masonry cohmms from a sudden
explosive failure to a more ductile failure. Columns
reinforced with 1Omm diameter lateral ties show pre-
mature splitting of the block side shells and crushing
of the concrete cores. This may be caused by a high
concentration of tensile splitting stresses around the
large diameter lateral ties near the block mid-webs.
More consistent results for values of strain and
ultimate load were obtained for columns reinforced
with hot rolled deformed high yield 8mm diameter
lateral ties than for columns reinforced with 6 and
1Omm diameter lateral ties.
The strengths of filled full- and half-block columns
(based on gross area) were 13 and 33% less, resp
tively, than the strengths of un8lled columns (based on
net area). This reduction was attributed to the high
value of the Poisson ratio of the concrete infill com-
pared with that of the block material.
The strength of full-block columns reinforced with
6 and 8 mm diameter lateral ties was 18% higher than
the strength of filled unreinforced columns. On the
other hand, columns reinforced with 10 mm diameter
lateral ties failed at loads which were 8% less than
those for filled unreinforced columns. This increase in
column strength results from confinement of the con-
crete infill by the lateral ties. These confinement stres-
ses cause a reduction in the harmful tensile stresses
exerted on the block shells by the concrete and are not
a result of an increase in the concrete strength. The
decrease in the strength of columns reinforced with
1Omm diameter lateral ties may be caused by prema-
ture failure of the column due to the high concentra-
tion of tensile splitting stresses around the large dia-
meter lateral ties. On the other hand, the results of the
half-block columns show increases in strength of 1,4
and 20%, with provision of lateral ties of diameter, 6,
8 and 10 mm, respectively. This tendency to increase in
strength is similar to that in reinforced concrete col-
umns.
Acknowledgements
The Authors wish to express their appreciation and
thanks to Forticrete Concrete Masonry Ltd, Bootle,
Merseyside, for supplying the materials for the exper-
imental investigation. This work was carried out at the
University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
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