Investigation on in-plane behaviour of masonry walls made of mortarless interlocking concrete blocks

“Earthquakes do not kill people; poorly constructed buildings do.”

This powerful statement underscores the critical need for resilient construction in seismically active regions. One promising solution is the use of mortarless interlocking concrete blocks, an emerging technology that offers a cost-effective, easily deployable alternative to traditional masonry. Unlike conventional methods that rely on mortar for bonding, this system uses precision-engineered blocks that are dry-stacked, enabling rapid construction and better material efficiency. This research aims to investigate the in-plane shear behaviour and compressive behaviour of mortarless masonry walls. Through experimental testing under various load conditions, the study will explore the failure mechanisms and essential design parameters of these walls. The focus will be on developing design standards that automate and optimise the structural design of mortarless masonry structures. This approach will ensure accurate reinforcement detailing, efficient material utilisation, and compliance with Australian Standards. Ultimately, this project seeks to establish a framework for designing and applying mortarless masonry systems, enhancing structural robustness, and providing a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to traditional construction methods.

Research Activities:

• Perform experimental tests on mortarless masonry wallettes to predict their compression strengths using unit strength correlations.
• Conduct cyclic in-plane shear loading tests and axial compression tests to assess the structural behaviour of full-scale mortarless walls.
• Perform numerical modelling approaches to predict the in-plane shear and axial capacity of the mortarless walls and validate with the experimental data.
• Propose the guidelines and design standards/rules to utilise the mortarless walls for seismic and high-wind regions using structural reliability analyses.