Analysis of the shear and flexural behaviour of masonry with hollow calcium silicate blocks

The paper is concerned with an analysis of the shear and flexural behaviour of masonry with hollow calcium silicate blocks. The initial shear strength of the masonry depends on the composition and strength of the mortar, on the structural solution of the masonry units, and on some other factors. The shear and flexural strength of masonry with calcium silicate hollow blocks and thin layer bed joints depends on the compressive stress σ v p , and the curing conditions of the mortar in the bed joints. A distribution of shear strains of the masonry, subjected to shear and flexural deforming, is prescribed by structural peculiarities of the blocks (i.e., by keys of the mortar being formed in the holes of the blocks) and its humidity. An analysis of experimental investigations and of analytical calculations according to the Lithuanian and Eurocode design codes was performed. It showed that the initial shear strength prescribed by Eurocode regulations is lower compared with that obtained by the Lithuanian code.