Abstract:
This paper discusses the effect of scale on
the structural behaviour of cement block masonry
under various loading condition. A real scale model
test makes possible to obtain data similar to real
structures. Financial and practical restrictions on
testing real scale models, reduced scale modeling
becomes popular to understand the overall behaviour
of the structure. But, when the reduced scale model
used for testing, the scale might have affected its
mechanical properties. Therefore, it is important to
understand these changes in order to draw correct
conclusion on the prototype behaviour. In general, this
study was aimed at understanding of the scale model
behaviour of masonry by testing masonry components
to determine the masonry properties, looking at a
comparison of masonry behaviour at prototype and
scale models. The performance of four different scale
cement masonry was evaluated. Water absorption,
compressive strength of cement block, and compressive,
shear and flexural tensile strength of masonry
prism were measured on each type of scale model.
These mechanical properties are used as indicators of
potential performance in masonry. Test results show
that; apart from the compressive strength of masonry
which not significantly influenced by the scale, all other tested properties, namely; water absorption rate,
porosity, shear strength and flexural bond strength
seemed to be significantly influenced by the scale.
