The influence of water flow (reversal) on bond strength development in young masonry

The influence of water flow (reversal) on bond strength development in young masonry

Groot, C.
Larbi, J.

Civil Engineering and Geosciences

1999-01-01

Water loss from the fresh mortar is believed to be related to mortar-brick bond strength development in masonry. Recent research on mortar-brick bond has shown that, particularly, effects of water flow on the composition and the hydration conditions of the mortar-brick interface have to be taken into account to explain bond strength development. However, many cases of unexpected bond behaviour are still registered, and apparently the insight into this complex phenomenon is still incomplete. In this paper an attempt is made to increase the understanding by analysing in more detail the hydration conditions of the mortar at the interface. To this end, models of capillary water pressure and water transport for cylindrical capillaries (bricks) and water-containing particle systems (mortars) are analysed and applied to the evaluation of a series of bond strength tests. To enhance the potential for a more extensive analysis of the test results much attention is paid to the 'hygric' characterisation of bricks and mortars of the test series. It is concluded, that not only the water flow from mortar to brick (which takes place immediately after mortar-brick contact) but also a reversed water flow from brick to mortar (occurring after compaction and initial hydration of mortar) may significantly influence the bond strength development.

masonry
bond strength
moisture transport
porosity
polarising and fluorescent microscopy

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:12fcf7d7-0a6d-4120-a913-5a6a38d44b08

Delft University of Technology

0046-7316

HERON, vol. 44 (2), 1999

Institutional Repository

journal article