Author

H. C. UZOEGBO and J. V. NGOWI School of Civil and Envir. Engg., University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Abstract

Three full-scale dry-stack interlocking masonry wall specimens were tested under lateral loading with three different spans of 1.5m, 3m and 6m. Further tests on six scale models (wallettes) were subjected to flexural bending parallel and perpendicular to the bed joint. The failure load, mid-span deflection, and failure mode were evaluated in each test. The test results were used as a basis for the development of an analytical expression to predict the lateral load carrying capacity of the dry-stack masonry. Comparison between the experimental and computed results shows good correspondence.

Key words
dry-stack masonry, interlocking block, fiexural strength, lateral load