Abstract

The present research highlights the geometrics and constructive characteristics of the northern block, having one side covered with a thin layer of concrete, allows placing the mortar paste the entire width of the wall, increasing the mortar paste-block contact area. This implies an additional element of resistance to lateral expansion of masonry which increases the shear strength and improves the structural behavior of an important building material for seismic zones. For this reason the shear strength of masonry made with typical concrete blocks (industrial manufacture) of the central region of Chile which are open at both sides and the typical northern blocks of Chile (semi-industrial and artesian manufacture) are compared. Additionally, 2 mortar pastes of different weight ratio (“cement/sand”) “1/3” and “1/4” are used in order to highlight the relevance of the mortar paste quality on the adhesion and its impact on improving the masonry performance. Properties for structural design such as compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and shear strength are characterized according to the Chilean standards of masonry. The results confirm that the usage of blocks covered on one side improve the shear strength of masonry compared to those using blocks which are open at both sides.