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Masonry is a layered composite consisting of mortar and the masonry unit. Perfect bond between the masonry unit and the mortar is essential for the masonry to perform as one single entity in order to resist the stresses due to various loading conditions. Nature of stresses developed in the masonry unit and the mortar and the failure pattern of masonry subjected to compression greatly depends upon the relative stiffness of the masonry unit and the mortar. The thesis is focused on (a) some issues pertaining to masonry unit – mortar bond strength and its influence on masonry compressive strength, and (b) developing a finite element (FE) model to predict the compressive strength of masonry. Importance of masonry bond strength and masonry behaviour is highlighted in chapter 1. Characteristics of masonry units and mortars used in the investigations are presented in Chapter 2. Two types of soil-cement blocks with widely varying strength and elastic properties and cement-lime mortars of two different proportions were used in the investigations. Results of stress-strain relationships and other characteristics were determined for the blocks as well as for mortars. Block-mortar combinations were selected to have block modulus to mortar modulus ratio of <1.0, ~1.0 and >1.0. Different artificial methods of enhancing the shear bond strength of masonry couplets have been discussed in chapter 3. Shear bond strength of the masonry couplets was determined through a modified direct shear box test apparatus. Without altering the block and mortar properties, bond strength values for three block-mortar combinations were generated through experiments. Effect of pre-compression on shear bond strength has also been examined for certain block-mortar combinations. Considering five different bond strength values and three block-mortar combinations, compressive strength and stress-strain characteristics of masonry was obtained through the tests on masonry prisms. A detailed discussion on influence of shear bond strength on masonry compressive strength is presented. Major conclusions of the investigation are: (a) without altering the block and mortar characteristics shear bond strength can be enhanced considerably through the manipulation of surface texture and surface coatings, (b) masonry compressive strength increases linearly as the shear bond strength increases only for the combination of masonry unit modulus less than that of mortar modulus, (c) masonry compressive strength is not sensitive to bond strength variation when the modulus of masonry unit is larger than that of the mortar. Chapter 4 is dedicated to the development of a 3D FE model to predict the masonry compressive strength. Literature review of empirical methods/formulae and some failure theories developed to predict masonry strength are presented. Existing FE models for masonry dealing with both macro and micro modelling approaches are reviewed. The proposed FE model considers (a) 3D non-linear analysis combined with a failure theory, (b) uses multi-linear stress-strain relationships to model the non-linear stress-strain behaviour of masonry materials, (c) adopting Willam-Warnke’s five parameter failure theory developed for modelling the tri-axial behaviour of concrete, and (d) application of orthotropic constitutive equations based on smeared crack approach. The predicted values of masonry compressive strength are compared with experimental values as well as those predicted from other failure theories. The thesis ends with a summary of conclusions in chapter 5.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-06-20T21:53:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 FRANCISCO AUGUSTO DE SOUZA - TESE PPGEP 2011.pdf: 49177196 bytes, checksum: 3a3bd80203819d1ca322cf48f20425fa (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-20T21:53:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FRANCISCO AUGUSTO DE SOUZA - TESE PPGEP 2011.pdf: 49177196 bytes, checksum: 3a3bd80203819d1ca322cf48f20425fa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-22 / 0 acelerado processo de modernização na agroindústria tem contribuído para o aumento significativo na geração de resíduos agrícolas que acarretam danos para o meio ambiente. O processo de beneficiamento do arroz gera grande quantidade de casca, estes resíduos são, geralmente, depositados em terrenos ou lançados em cursos d'água, ocasionando degradações ambientais, devido à lenta biodegradação. O seu aproveitamento na construção civil, como produto alternativo, pode contribuir para a conservação e a preservação do meio ambiente. Este trabalho tem por objetivo o estudo da durabilidade de blocos de solo-cimento com a incorporação de casca de arroz. Os ensaios foram realizados com auxílio de ciclos de molhagem e secagem, para avaliar a durabilidade dos blocos convencionais e alternativos incorporados com casca de arroz. Os resultados obtidos indicam que o aumento do teor de casca de arroz, eleva o valor de absorção de água, diminui a resistência à compressão simples, aumenta a perda de massa e a variação de volume, devido o grande volume de vazios apresentados pela casca de arroz e a falta de interação entre o sistema solo-cimento e casca de arroz. Os ensaios de durabilidade pelo método de degradação acelerada e os ensaios de caracterização mineralógica realizados com os blocos alternativos de solo-cimento incorporados com casca de arroz indicaram a composição de 10% de cimento mais a combinação de 86% solo e 4% de casca de arroz, ideal para a fabricação de blocos de alvenaria para construção civil. / The accelerated process of modernization in the agricultural industry has contributed to the signrficant increase in the generation of agricultural residues that cause damage to the environment. The beneficiation process generates large quantities of rice husk, these wastes are usually deposited on land or thrown into streams, causing environmental degradation due to slow bíodegradation. Its use in construction, such as alternative product, can contribute to the conservation and preservation of the environment. This work aims to study the durability of soil-cement with the addition of rice husk. The tests were carried out usíng cycles of wettíng and drying, to evaluate the durability of conventional and alternative blocks embedded with rice husk. The results indicate that increasing the amount of rice husk, raises the value of water absorption, decreases the compressive strength, increases the loss of mass and volume change, due to the large volume of voids produced by rice husk and lack of interaction between the soil-cement and rice husk. Durability testing by the method of accelerated degradation and mineralogical characterization tests performed with the alternative blocks of soil-cement íncorporated with rice husk indicated the composítion of 10% cement plus the combination of soil and 4% 86% peei rice, ideal for the manufacture of masonry blocks for construction.

The present investigation is focused on the thermal performance of building materials, specifically their thermal transmittance, and consequent impact on building envelope and building thermal performance. Thermal performance of building materials plays a crucial role in regulating indoor thermal comfort when suitably integrated as part of the building envelope. Studies into thermal performance of building materials are few, particularly in the context of designing building blocks to achieve a particular thermal transmittance in buildings. Such studies require both theoretical (numerical) investigations augmented with experimental investigation into material thermal performance. A unique contribution of this study has been assessing the temperature-dependent performance of building material and their influence on thermal conductivity. The thermal performance of conventional and alternative (low energy) building materials have also been investigated to assess their suitability for naturally ventilated building in salient climatic zones in India. The study has also investigated the impact of varying mix proportions in Cement Stabilized Soil Block on thermal performance. There is little evidence of such studies, involving both experimental and theoretical studies, tracing the thermal performance of building materials to building performance. The current study involves three parts: studying thermo-physical properties of building materials, building-envelope performance evaluation and case-study investigation on buildings in various climatic zones. The thermo-physical study involves understanding the role of materials mix-proportion, composition, and microstructure for its influence on building-envelope thermal performance. Studies into building envelope performance for conventional and alternative building materials, includes, steady and dynamic thermal performance parameters. As part of the study, a calibrated hot-box thermal testing facility has been tested to experimentally determine the thermal performance of building envelopes. Case-study investigation involves real-time monitoring and simulation based assessment of naturally ventilated buildings in three climatic zones of India. The study finds noticeable temperature-dependent performance for various building materials tested. However, their impact on overall thermal performance of buildings is limited for the climatic zones tested. Further, the study validates the hitherto unexplored possibility of customizing building materials for specific thermal performances.