SHEAR STRENGTH AND COMPRESSIVE

STRENGTH OF REINFORCED PERFORATED

CLAY BLOCK MASONRY

Matthias Ernst1, Gert König2

SUMMARY

Reinforced masonry combines the advantages of masonry and reinforcement. The

effect of horizontal and vertical reinforcement on compressive strength , flexural
behaviour and shear strength of masonry is investigated. The analytical models
were checked by tests on unreinforced and reinforced perforated clay block
masonry. Proposals for a design procedure are presented.

1 MASONRY STRUCTURES

Masonry is one of the oldest construction materials, which was used for all kind
of structures during the last milleniums. Masonry is nowadays used very often
especially for housing structures due to its advantages, e.g. sufficient compressive
strength in combination with good thermal properties and low construction costs.

A disadvantage of masonry is its low tensile and flexural tensile strength, which
may cause cracking and reduce stiffness and strength. Therefore masonry was
replaced in most fields of application by the development of reinforced concrete.
The bearing capacity of concrete, which is in general described by a high
compressive but a low tensile strength, was improved with the use of

1
Institut für Massivbau, TH Darmstadt, now Ingenieurbüro BUNG
2
Institut für Massivbau und Baustofftechnologie i. Gr., Universität Leipzig

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reinforcement. Due to the similar properties of concrete and masonry, the use of
reinforcement in masonry seems to be also meaningful to improve the load-
bearing capacity and to control the crack width. The combination of masonry and
reinforcement resulted in "reinforced masonry".

2 REINFORCED CLAY BLOCK MASONRY

Unreinforced masonry is subjected mainly to vertical compression loads due to its

low tensile strength. Tensile, flexural or shear loads may therefore not be suitable
for unreinforced masonry or require reinforced concrete members, e.g. ring beams
or roof tie beams.

An improved flexural and shear strength as well as an increased ductility of the in

general brittle material is expected with the use of reinforcement. With an
increased deformation capacity reinforced masonry can sustain especially seismic
loads. That means, with the use of reinforcement further applications for masonry
are possible with the improved properties of reinforced masonry.

A summary of application fields of reinforced masonry is shown in Table 1. The

main application field of reinforced masonry in Germany is given by bed-joint
reinforcement for crack width control. The application of reinforced masonry to
increase the load-bearing capacity compared to unreinforced masonry is
neglectable,. although, for example, a horizontal bed-joint reinforcement can be
used to sustain wind loads and earth pressure even with low or missing vertical
compression stress. A further example are ring beams and roof tie beams, which
can be constrcuted with horizontally reinforced masonry. No reinforced concrete
members are required and thermal losses can be reduced.

A vertically placed reinforcement is able to carry tensile forces perpendicular to

the bed joints. To place the vertical reinforcement without having the effect of
reinforced concrete surrounded by masonry, special openings in the blocks are
neccessary. One possibility to provide these openings is to use hollow concrete

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blocks, which are reinforced subsequently and filled with grout or concrete. Due
to its availability the combination of vertical and horizontal reinforcement was
concentrated mainly on these hollow conrete blocks. This construction type is
used very often especially in the seismic areas of North and Middle America. Due
to an increased strength and ductility those reinforced concrete masonry buildings
can sustain even stronger earthquakes. On the other hand, their high thermal
conductivity makes it not advisable to use this type of masonry in housing
structures. A perforated clay block, for example, provides a much better thermal
insulation.

Table 1: Application fields of reinforced masonry

- Tensile stresses
due to restraint
- Out-of-plane loading
- In-plane loading
- Member-type
structures
• creep and shrinkage
• temperature
• different deformations of adjacent members
• differential settlement of soil
• walls on deflecting slabs or beams
• stress concentrations at openings
• tensile stresses due to concentrated loads
• wind loading
• earth pressure
• seismic loading
• diaphragm beam
• cantilever beam
• stiffening walls subjected to wind or seismic
loading
• ring beam, roof tie beam
• lintel

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There are only very limited test results on vertically and horizontally reinforced
perforated clay block masonry, although this combination might offer a
construction with improved strength and ductitility as well as sufficient thermal
properties.

The construction of reinforced masonry should be similar to the traditional

construction procedure of unreinforced masonry. While horizontal reinforcement
can be placed in the bed-joints quite easily, the vertical reinforcing bars requires
special openings in the blocks. Some possibilities of blocks with openings are
shown in Fig. 1. Considering an easy way of construction, blocks with openings
placed at its side should be preferred (comp. Fig. 1b). Blocks with openings
placed in the inner section (comp. Fig. 1a,c,d) have to be placed over the
reinforcing bars from above, while in the other case (comp. Fig. 1b) the process is
less tedious and much easier and faster.

From all the possible designs of the blocks, the type shown in Fig. 1b was used in
the test series decribed in this paper due to its practicability. Its application is
quite similar to the use of blocks for unreinforced masonry.

Fig. 1: Examples for blocks with openings for vertical reinforcement

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Fig. 2: Perforated clay blocks for masonry with vertical reinforement

An example for such a block is shown in Fig. 2 (right). Because reinforced

masonry walls are commonly used as shearing walls, the perforated clay blocks
need to sustain the in-plane and therefore require continous ribs within the
direction of the wall. For reasons of thermal insulation, the blocks should have a
low density, but on the other hand the compressive strength should be high, to
ensure that the compression zone within the reinforced masonry will not fail
under flexural loading before the reinforcement is yielding.

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3 PROPERTIES OF REINFORCED CLAY BLOCK MASONRY

3.1 Compressive strength

The behaviour of the composite material "masonry" subjected to compressive

stresses is determined by the different lateral deformation behaviour of mortar and
block, which results in a triaxial state of stress of mortar and block. The
compression failure is usually determined by the lateral tensile stresses in the
blocks. Therefore, the compression strength of masonry is usually below the
uniaxial compressive strength of the blocks. A larger exploitation of the
compressive strength of the blocks can be reached, if the lateral deformations of
the mortar joints can be restricted, reducing the lateral tensile stresses in the
blocks. The restraint of lateral deformation of the mortar can be attained with
reinforcement in the bed-joints enclosing the mortar. In the tests carried out so far
round hoops and steel meshes turned out to be very effective. These "closed"
shapes of reinforcing steel makes construction more difficult, if also vertical
reinforcing bars are used. Much more advantagous are reinforcing ties (comp.
Fig. 3), which effectiveness on the compressive strength of perforated clay block
masonry is investigated.

Fig. 3: Ties as horizontal reinforcement

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Fig. 4: Increased load bearing capacity due to reduced lateral tensile stress in
the blocks

The effect of horinzontal reinforcement in general can be described by Fig. 4.

Assuming, that a lateral tensile failure of the blocks is decisive for the
compressive strength of masonry, a corresponding lateral tensile stress is given by
the failure line of the block. This lateral tensile stress σx is reduced by ∆σx
representing the restraining effect of the horizontal reinforcement. With a reduced
lateral tensile stress (σx - ∆σx) an increased compressive strength of the blocks
follows from its failure line, resulting in an increased compressive strength of
masonry.

For perforated clay block masonry (comp. Fig. 2) reinforced with ties φ 6 in each
bed-joint an increase in compressive strength of about 15 % compared to
unreinforced masonry was observed. An additional vertical reinforcement

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(ρv = 0,13 %) led to an increase in compressive strength of about 40 %. Further,
the spalling of parts of the blocks was concentrated on the area outside the
enclosed mortar joint. Due to the reinforcement further cracks could develop,
resulting in an increased ultimate strain.

Table 2: Compression tests - Results for unreinforced and reinforced clay block
masonry

test fm increase in ε33 εu Em 2)

specimens [N/mm²] strength 1) [‰] [‰] [N/mm²]
1 unreinforced 8,5 1,00 0,50 1,50 5810
2 grouted 10,1 1,18 0,55 1,55 6110
3 horizontally reinf. 10,1 1,19 0,56 1,72 6050
4 vert. + horiz. reinf. 13,6 1,47 0,55 1,94 8540
5 horizontally reinf. 10,4 1,15 0,53 1,71 6540
1)
related on the individual strength of unreinforced masonry
2)
secant modulus at 1/3 of the maximum strength

3.2 Load-deformation-behaviour

The ultimate strain for unreinforced masonry was given by approximately

1,50 ‰. The ultimate strain could be increased for the horizontally reinforced
specimens (φ 6) by approximately 15 %, for the horizontally (φ 6) and vertically
(2 φ 12) reinforced specimens by 25 %. The tests showed an nearly linear stress-
strain-curve for reinforced and unreinforced specimens (comp. Fig. 5).

Based on these results it can be assumed, that unreinforced and reinforced

perforated clay block masonry samples both showed a nearly linear stress-strain-
curve with a sudden failure at the point of maximum loading.

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The differences in the modulus of elasticity related to the masonry compressive
strength is rather low. Based on the results obeserved in the tests the secant
modulus of elasticity for unreinforced and reinforced masonry can be estaimated
by
E m = 620 ⋅ f m .

Fig. 5: Stress-strain-diagram for unreinforced and reinforced clay block

masonry (Series 1: unreinforced, Series 2: grouted, Series 3 and 5:
horizontally r.m. (φ 6), Series 4: horizontally (φ 6) and vertically (2 φ 12)
r.m.)

3.3 Shear strength

The effect of reinforcement on the shear strength of masonry depends on the type
of shear failure. The following types of shear failure are considered in the

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following: tensile failure of bed joint, shear failure of joint, tensile failure of block
and compression failure.

A tensile failure of the bed joints can be avoided by vertical reinforcing bars,
which can carry tensile stresses perpendicular to the bed joints. The sufficient
cross-section of reinforcing bars is determined by flexural design, that no flexural
failure can occur. Therefore, this failure type is not further decisive for the shear
strength.

Typical for a joint failure is a stair-shaped cracks along the bed and perpend joints
due to sliding along the bed joints (comp. Fig. 6a). If the bond strength in the bed
joints is locally exceeded with increased horizontal loading, slippage occurs and
crack width in the perpend joints increases (comp. Fig. 6b). This formation of
cracks can be restrained by horizontal reinforcement in the bed joints, because the
rebars cross the cracks and thus string the separated blocks together, distributing
the shear stresses in the adjacent areas (comp. Fig. 6c). Therefore, cohesion and
friction contribute to the load bearing capacity over the complete length of the bed
joint.

An increased shear strength due to horizontal reinforcement requires a certain

anchorage length, since the rebars are only effective until the bond strength
between mortar and reinforcement as well as mortar and blocks is exceeded. The
bond strength of reinforcement in the bed-joints depends on different parameters,
especially on the quality of construction. Thus the assumption seems to be valid,
that failure due to the loss of bond will occur prior to the reinforcement becomes
fully effective and yields. In this case, the location of failure will be limited to a
single bed joint (comp. Fig. 6d). The shortest anchorage length is given in the top
and bottom bed joint, thus the failure is likely to take place there. With an
increased bond strength, slippage in a single bed joint can be prevented and an
increase in shear strength is possible. Although, due to the possible flaws in the
quality of the construction, it is not advisable to rely on an increase in shear
strength by using only horizontal reinforcement.

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Fig. 6: Effect of horizontal reinforcement in the case of joint failure

Fig. 7: Improved anchorage of

horizontal ties by vertical
reinforcement and grouted cores

An improvement of the anchorage of the horizontal reinforcement and therefore

the transmittance of the shear stresses can be achieved by adding vertical
reinforcement. The horizontal reinforcement has to be ben around the vertical
rebars and grouted cores (comp. Fig. 7). With a sufficient anchorage length and
increased bond strength between rebars and mortar as well as blocks and mortar, a
failure mode as shown in Fig. 6b can occur. Theoretically, the reinforcement is
yielding, without any sliding along the bed joints (comp. Fig. 6d). The vertical
reinforcement is then subjected to shearing stresses and the resistance of the
rebars is adding to the shear resistance (comp. Fig. 8).

The third mode of failure, the tensile failure of the blocks (comp. Fig. 9a), might
be induced by a increased resistance to the failure of joints. The mechanism is

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quite similar to the one shown in Fig. 6c, but the cracks run through the blocks
instead of following the joints. The horizontal reinforcement with sufficient
anchorage length can prevent the cracks from opening and induce cracking at
other locations (see Fig. 9b). This will lead to a crack pattern with numerous
narrow cracks.

Fig. 8: Shear resistance of vertical reinforcement

Fig. 9: Effect of reinforcement, tension failure of blocks

With increased loading a sliding along the diagonal crack might occur (comp.
Fig. 9c). In this case the shear strength depends on the horizontal reinforcement
and the friction within this crack. Vertical reinforcing bars crossing the diagonal

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crack will also increase shear strength. The shear stress in the reinforcing bars
will rise with increasing deformations (comp. Fig. 9d).

Due to the enhanced resistance against a joint failure and tensile failure of the
blocks even a compression failure, depending on the material properties of the
masonry, might occur. In many cases, a mixture of the different types of shear
failure as shown in Fig. 10 can be observed. A masonry structure with horizontal
and vertical reinforcement, with initial cracking along the joints, might show (due
to the enhanced resistance against a joint failure) cracks running through the
blocks. Due to an enhanced shear resistance by the reinforcement a complete
failure might be excluded, so that the structure might even fail in compression.

It can be concluded, that an increase in shear strength is possible with horizontal

and vertical reinforcement, as long as the shear failure of the joints and the
tension failure of the blocks becomes decisive. In case of a compression failure,
the influence of reinforcement is neglected. The placement of exclusively
horizontal reinforcement requires sufficient anchorage to increase the shear
strength. Thus, depending on the bond properties, different modes of failure are
possible. Additional anchorage can be provided by the vertical reinforcement with
the grouted cores, which in turn will also sustain tension stresses perpendicular to
the bed joints.

Fig. 10: Interaction of different types of shear failure

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4 DESIGN OF REINFORCED CLAY BLOCK MASONRY

4.1 Compressive strength

Reinforced clay block masonry showed an increase in compressive strength

compared to unreinforced masonry. The effect of grout, horizontal and vertical
reinforcement on the compressive strength of masonry can be determined with the
following formulas, which are valid for the tested masterials.

• grouted masonry
 Eg Ag 
fm,g = fm ⋅ 1 + ⋅ 
 E m Abrutto 
 fg Ag 
fm,g = f m ⋅ 1 + 0 ,5 ⋅ ⋅  (approximation)
 f m Abrutto 

• grouted and vertically reinforced masonry


(
E g A g − As )
Es As

f m ,vr = f m ⋅ 1 + ⋅ + ⋅ 
 Em Abrutto E m Abrutto 
 


( )
f g A g − As f sy As

f m ,vr = f m ⋅ 1 + 0 ,5 ⋅ ⋅ + 0 ,6 ⋅ ⋅  (approximation)
 fm Abrutto f m Abrutto 
 

• masonry with bed-joint reinforcement

  *  0 ,6 
σz
f m ,hr = 1 −   ⋅ β e
  β z  

234
   tf
5
∗ f
where σ z = β z ⋅ 3 1 − m β  − ν mo ⋅ f m ⋅ ⋅α
 e  h st

and α = α n ⋅α v

1 pq ,max  b3 l 3  tf
αn = 1− ⋅ ⋅  +  αv = ≈ 0 ,6
o o

6 bo ⋅ lo  Z1 Z 2  t eff

The reductionfactor αn can be assumed for a minimum steel tension force by:

lo 1 b 1 l
for 1≤ ≤2 αn = 1− ⋅ o − ⋅ o
bo 3 lo 3 bo

lo 1 2 bo2
for 2< ≤ 2 ,5 αn = − ⋅
bo 3 3 lo2

lo, bo: length, width of area surrounded by reinforcing ties

The dimensions of the ties are limited by lo/bo ≤ 2,5. For larger values additional
lateral bars are required to reduce the lateral deformation of the ties.

• vertically and horizontally reinforced masonry

 E g Ag − As E s As 
f m ,r = f m ,hr ⋅ 1 + ⋅ + ⋅ 
 E m Abrutto E m Abrutto 

The compressive strength of unreinforced masonry can be estimated with the

formula given in Eurocode 6:

f m = K ⋅ f b,n
0,65
⋅ f mo
0,25

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Beside an increased compressive strength the reinforced specimens offered a a
residual strength of approximately 50 % of the maximum strength for repeated
loading after reaching the maximum load due to the clamping effect of the
reinforcing bars.

4.2 Flexural design

Contrary to unreinforced masonry tensile stresses perpendicular to the bed-joints

can be transferred in reinforced masonry. Therefore, reinforced masonry is able to
sustain bending moments even at very low vertical compression stresse. The
flexural design of reinforced masonry can be carried out analogous to the flexural
design of reinforced concrete. That means, the following assumptions are also
required:

• Bernoulli hypothesis (plane sections remains plane)

• tensile strength of masonry is neglected

• complete bonding between mortar, reinforcement and masonry

The bond strength in the bed-joints is neglected. The different stress-strain-

diagrams due to the different types of blocks and bricks need to be considered for
the flexural design of reinforced masonry.

It could be established by the results of deformation measurements in the

compression tests, that the tested specimens showed a nearly linear stress-strain-
curve with a sudden failure when reaching the maximum loading, regardless
whether the specimens were unreinforced or reinforced. The stress-strain-diagram
can be described approximately with a triangular shape, which is typical for
perforated clay block masonry. This results in the proposals for stress-strain-
diagrams for perforated clay block masonry presented in Table 3. These proposals
are valid for the tested materials and need to be checked for other blocks and
reinforcement ratios.

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Table 3: Proposals for stress-strain-diagrams of unreinforced and reinforced
perforated clay block masonry

masonry stress-strain-curve εmax [‰]

unreinforced
masonry 1,5

grouted
masonry 1,5

horizontally
r.m. 1,75

horizontally
+ vertically r.m. 2,0

4.3 Shear design

As confirmed by test results, the shear design of reinforced masonry can be

carried out similar to the known design procedure for unreinforced masonry.
Proceeding on the shear failure criterions for unreinforced masonry (shear failure
in the joints, tensile failure of blocks and compression failure of masonry) the
shear strength of unreinforced and reinforced has to be determined for each
criterion. The lowest value of the criterions represents the shear strength.

237
An increased shear strength due to reinforcement is possible, if the failure types
"joint failure" and "tensile failure of blocks" are decisive. In case of a
compression failure the effect of reinforcement should be neglected. A bed-joint
reinforcement can become effective only in case of a sufficient anchorage, what
can be assured only in combination with vertical reinforcing bars and grouted
cores.

Further, this vertical reinforcement can transfer tensile stresses perpendicular to

the bed-joints. Therefore the criterion "tensile failure of bed-joints" is not decisive
for the shear strength of reinforced masonry.

Joint failure

(2a) shear strength of unreinforced masonry

(
τ xy ≤ f vo − µ ⋅ σ y ⋅ ) 1
hst
1+ µ ⋅2⋅
lst

(2b) shear strength of reinforced masonry

As ,h ⋅ f sy As*,v ⋅ τ s ,v
τ xy ≤
l ⋅t
⋅α h ⋅α s +
l⋅t
(
+ f vo − µ ⋅ σ y )
The friction coefficient in the joint can be assumed to µ = 0,95 for the tested
block-mortar combination. The factor αs considers the effect of length and height
of wall, the factor αh the efficiency of horizontal reinforcement. It can be
approximated:

0 ,9 ⋅ d
αs = for h/ l>1
s

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 0 ,8 ⋅ h
αs = for h/ l≤1
s

αh = 0 for only horizontally reinforced masonry

αh = 1,0 for horizontally and vertically reinforced masonry

Tensile failure of blocks

(3a) shear strength of unreinforced masonry

β z ,st σy
τ xy ≤ ⋅ 1−
2 ,3 β z ,st

(3b) shear strength of reinforced masonry

As ,h ⋅ σ s ,h 1 x l As ,h ⋅ τ s ,h As*,v ⋅ τ s ,v
τ xy ≤ ⋅α h ⋅α s − ⋅ µ st ⋅ σ y ⋅ + ⋅α s ⋅α h +
l⋅t 2 l l⋅t l⋅t

where xl = h for h≤l

xl = l for h>l

The friction coefficient µst along a crack through the block can be assumed to
µst = 0,97 for the tested blocks.

Compression failure

The effect of reinforcement on the shear strength is neglected in the case of

compression failure of masonry. Therefore, the same criterion can be used for
unreinforced and reinforced masonry:

(4) shear strength of reinforced and reinforced masonry

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 ( )
τ xy ≤ σ y + f m ⋅
lst
2 ⋅ hst

These criterions are used to present a failure envelope for shear failure of
unreinforced and reinforced masonry (comp. Fig. 11). A tensile failure of the bed-
joints (criterion 1a) can be avoided for vertical reinforced masonry, so that the
failure envelope is given by the criterions 2b, 3b and 4.

Fig. 11: Shear failure envelope for unreinforced and reinforced masonry
(a: unreinforced masonry, b: reinforced masonry
1: tensile failure of bed joints, 2: shear failure of bed joints. 3: tensile
failure of blocks, 4: compression failure of masonry)

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5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Reinforced masonry is mainly used to control the crack width in masonry in

Germany. The positive effect of reinforcement on the load bearing capacity,
especially the shear strength is more or less neglected. This might be explained on
one side by an inclomplete knowledge of the behaviour of reinforced masonry
subjected to shear. On the other side, the new type of masonry has a low
acceptance due to its new ways of construction.

The presented results for reinforced perforated clay block masonry showed the
improved porperties of masonry, which may lead to new applications of masonry.
Proposals for design methods are presented for clay block masonry, which should
be calibrated for other blocks and bricks. It could be shown, that masonry is still a
current building material with a potential for further developments.

Literature

[1] Mann, W.; Müller, H.: Bruchkriterien für querkraftbeanspruchtes

Mauerwerk und ihre Anwendung auf gemauerte Wandscheiben; Teil 1-
3, Lehrstuhl für Statik der Hochbaukonstruktionen, TH Darmstadt, 1973
[2] Ernst, M.: Bewehrtes Mauerwerk - Neue Chancen für einen bewährten
Baustoff, Leipziger Massivbau-Seminar, Band 3, Okt. 1996
[3] Ernst, M.: Untersuchungen zum Tragverhalten von bewehrtem
Mauerwerk aus Hochlochziegeln; eingereichte Dissertation, TH
Darmstadt, 1996

241
Abbreviations

Geometry:

Block: hst height lst length

Grout: Ag cross-section of grouted core
Steel: As cross-section
lo, bo length, width of tie
s distance of rebars
As,h cross-section of horizontal reinforcememt
*
As ,v cross-section of vert. reinf. within a diagonal crack
Masonry: Abrutto gross-section
h height l length
t wall thickness d effective height
tf joint thickness teff effective joint
α, αn,αv redutcion factor for the effectively enclosed bed-joint
area

Strength:

Block: fb,n normalised compressive strength

βe uniaxial compressive strength
βz, βz,st lateral tensile strength
µst friction coefficient for cracks through the blocks
Mortar: fmo mortar compressive strength
fg grout compressive strength
fvo shear strength
µ friction coefficient
Steel: fsy yield strength
τs shear resistance
Masonry: fm compressive strength of unreinforced masonry
fm,r compressive strength of reinforced masonry
fm,g compressive strength of grouted masonry
fm,vr compressive strength of vertically reinforced masonry
fm,hr compressive strength of horizontally r.m.

242
Deformation properties:

Mortar: νmo Poission ratio of mortar

Eg modulus of elasticity of grout
Steel: Es modulus of elasticity of block
Masonry: Em modulus of elasticity of masonry

Strain:

ε, εu strain, ulitmate strain

ε33 strain at 1/3 of maximum strength

Stress:

σy vertical stress
σx,z horizontal stress, lateral tensile stress
σ x ,z
*
reduced lateral stress
σy , fm
* *
increased compressive strength due to horizontal reinf.
τ shear stress
σs steel stress

Other parameters:

Z steel tension force

pq,max lateral pression on reinforcing ties
αh efficiency of horizontal reinforcement
αs factor considering wall dimensions (h/l)

243