Abstract

The compressive strength of mortar is typically determined using the American Societyfor Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard method using 2 inch cubes which are compressed tillfailure. There is however a disparity between the compressive strengths of mortar cubes, and insitumortar. This disparity is a result of the differences in thickness, aspect ratio, curingconditions, water content, and confinement between mortar cubes and mortar joints. While thesedifferences lead to mortar joints being stronger than mortar cubes, a relationship between theirstrengths is desired.Two less-common mortar strength tests were used to determine more accurately thecompressive strength of in-situ mortar. The results of both tests were compared to the results ofASTM standard compressive testing with mortars of the same water content. The first was theDouble Punch test which involves the use of two metal punches that compress either side of athin mortar sample till failure. The Double Punch test is more difficult to perform than theASTM standard compression test, but was useful because it simulates the confinement that insitumortar will experience. The Double Punch test was also used with mortar specimens ofvarying thickness to determine a relationship between specimen thickness and compressivestrength. The second test used was the Helix Pullout test. This test is performed by insertingmetal helical screws into a mortar joint, and pulling from the joint while restricting rotation. Themaximum load used to extract the Helix is recorded as the Pullout Load, and is used to find thecompressive strength by use of a calibration curve. This test was used on a masonry wall paneland mortar cubes were also made with the same mortar for compressive testing.The tested mortar exhibited decreased compressive strength with increased water content.The mortar also decreased in strength with increasing specimen thickness. Mortar joints wereshown to be significantly stronger than mortar cubes based on factors of specimen thickness andconfinement by an average factor of at least 2.40. Although results are affected by punchdiameter, the Double Punch test was shown to be a consistent and reliable means of estimatingmortar compressive strength. The Helix Pullout test exhibited wide variation, and wasdetermined to be primarily useful for qualitative comparison as opposed to quantitativedetermination of strength.

Degree

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Civil and Environmental Engineering

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