Analysis of the geometrical imperfections of a dry-stacked masonry block based on Miscanthus

Abstract

This paper aims to verify the suitability of masonry blocks based on Miscanthus concrete to be used in dry-stacked walls. Therefore, the load-bearing capacity of single Miscanthus concrete masonry blocks as well as of dry-stacked wallets based on these blocks is analysed in function of geometrical imperfections, such as possible height differences between adjacent blocks due to the production process or/and surface roughness of the dry bed joint. For the study on the load-bearing capacity of single masonry blocks the mixture composition was varied and optimised leading to a maximum ultimate load of 5.42 MPa. With the optimised mixture composition masonry blocks were produced to create small wallets, which achieved a maximum load-bearing capacity of 4.84 MPa. The Miscanthus masonry blocks presented a low Young’s Modulus leading to a very ductile behaviour of the wallet without sudden failure. Furthermore, the variation of the contact area as a consequence of geometrical imperfections was studied and an exponential relation between the contact area and the applied load could be established.