Preliminary Analysis of the Influence of Reinforced Mortar Coating on the Compressive Strength of Clay Bricks

This paper presents an extensive characterisation of materials and components used in non-structural masonry constructions in the region of Pernambuco, Brazil.

An experimental study was carried out on a running bond of red clay prisms, of two and three ceramic blocks, with and without cement mortar coating, subjected to axial compression in order to enhance the capacity of masonry.

The experimental preliminary results indicate an increase both in the compressive load capacity of the coated prisms and in those that use coatings based on reinforced mortar, not complying with the specifications of conventional structural mortar.