An Overview on Recent Developments in Making Efficient Corner Joints in Mortar Free Interlocking Block Walls against Lateral Loading

Abstract

Unreinforced masonry structures are highly susceptible to earthquakes damages including in-plane and out of plane damages. Confined masonry improves the seismic capacity of the structures. Earthquake resistant strategies for safe housing are partially effective due to economically nonviable. Mortar-free construction claims to be better than unreinforced masonry. The current literature research is to have a comprehensive review of relevant past studies to explore the potential utilization of mortar free interlocking corner joints. This is done by focusing on articles published in highly reputable journals in last one decade. Corner failures in masonry result due to a combination of in-plane and out-of-plane behaviors. Absence of vertical load there is flexural dominant behavior prior to formation of corner. Mortar-free construction allows sliding and rotation in the out-of-plane direction, which significantly reduces structural damage. Scaled down investigation of real corner joint through shake table testing helps to replicate the real structural behavior.