Sustainable Units for Structural Masonry

Background/Objectives: To determine the basic properties of masonry units, modulus of elasticity and to evaluate the masonry efficiency for the different h/t ratios of the masonry prisms and wallets. Methods/Statistical analysis: The geopolymer blocks were cured in open air temperature. These blocks were tested for water absorption & initial rate of water absorption, dry density, dimensionality, compression strength, flexural strength, and bond-strength with & without lateral confinement and modulus of elasticity. Rendered and unrendered geopolymer solid block and hollow prisms were cast and tested using cement mortar for the different h/t ratios and wallets were tested for compression. Findings: It was found that the basic properties of geopolymer masonry units were well within the limits prescribed the relevant codes of practice. Flexural strength and bond strength of geopolymer blocks prisms was more due to the good bonding between the blocks and the mortar joints. The masonry efficiency is increases with decrease in h/t ratios. There will be no much difference between rendered and unrendered masonry efficiency block prisms. The performance of the axial and eccentrically loaded wallette was found to be superior compared to the conventional cement block masonry. They satisfy the requirements of IS 2185:2008 (part 4). Application/Improvements: These geopolymer masonry units were used as structural masonry units due to the good compressive strength and performance.