Compressive Strength of Dry-Stacked Concrete Masonry Unit Assemblies
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 2
Abstract
Dry-stacked masonry construction consists of individual units stacked directly without mortar at the bed and head joints. Although dry-stacked construction offers many benefits including speed of construction and minimal need for skilled labor, its use has been limited by lack of technical information. This paper presents the results of an experimental program investigating the compressive strength of dry-stacked assemblies built from nonproprietary standard concrete masonry units. The program included 124 tests of dry-stacked prisms; variables in the program included compressive strength of the units and treatment of the interface. Roughness of the interface was found to have significant effect on the load–displacement behavior and ultimate capacity of dry-stacked assemblies. Based on the experimental results, a unit strength method is presented for qualifying dry-stacked systems.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge and thank the many organizations and individuals who contributed to the research presented in this paper. The research was funded by the National Concrete Masonry Association (Project NCMA 2014.001). Glenn Department of Civil Engineering students Seth Adams, Luay Abo Alarab, Marcos Martinez, and Michael Stoner participated in specimen preparation and testing. They were assisted by technical staff from the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering, Danny Metz, Scott Black, and Sam Biemann. Testing was conducted at the National Brick Research Center of Clemson University in Anderson, South Carolina. Masonry units were donated by the Oldcastle Company.
References
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 29 • Issue 2 • February 2017
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 17, 2015
Accepted: May 24, 2016
Published online: Aug 31, 2016
Discussion open until: Jan 31, 2017
Published in print: Feb 1, 2017
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