CHARACTERIZATION OF THE COMPRESSION STRENGTH OF LOW TO HIGH STRENGHT CONCRETE BLOCK MASONRY

Abstract

This project aims at developing an experimental program to evaluate the compressive strength of masonry concrete block from low to high resistances. This topic is motivated by the observation that there are no reliable parameters for designing the compression strength of masonry concrete block, considering the various options of strength and grouting available, especially for blocks with greater resistance (above 12 MPa) whose use has become widespread in Brazil. From the national survey conducted in partnership with the ABCP it was also possible to observe that few tests of prisms are actually made in execution control of jobs executed in different regions of Brazil. Another motivating point of this project is the observation of the difficulty procedure and high dispersion of inter-laboratory test data when testing compression strength of blocks and prisms capped with cement paste. It is also objective of this study to evaluate the possibility of using a dry material (neoprene, mdf, fiberboard, or other) for capping replacing the cement paste. The methodology consists in performing the compression tests of mortar, grout, block, grouted and non-grouted prism from the variability of resistance of concrete blocks manufactured in Brazil from 3 to 20 MPa. Initially studies will be performed appropriate to determine the different mortar and grout mix that will be used in the experimental program. In sequence studies will be made considering prisms and blocks with different capping types. Depending on the results, tests must be performed to determine the strength of blocks and prisms of the different resistances, considering capping with cement paste and other capping chosen. The main expected result is to provide technical parameters for design, contributing to the accuracy and security of the building industry, and possibly improvement in the test procedure, which can contribute to the effective implementation of the job site control.