The strength of hollow concrete block walls, reinforced hollow concrete block beams, and columns

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the strength of hollow concrete block masonry walls, beams, and columns and compare their values with brick masonry walls and ordinary reinforced concrete beams and columns. The specimens for the hollow concrete block and brick masonry walls were prepared and tested for compressive and flexural strengths and horizontal and diagonal shear strengths. Moreover, two hollow concrete blocks and two ordinary reinforced concrete beams were designed to experience flexural and shear failure and loaded under a two-point bending load. Meanwhile, a hollow concrete block and an ordinary reinforced concrete column were also constructed and subjected to centric axial loads until they collapsed. The results showed the hollow concrete block masonry walls have greater strength than those made with bricks. In contrast, both flexural and shear capacity and the flexural ductility of reinforced hollow concrete block beams were higher than ordinary reinforced concrete beams. Meanwhile, the centric compressive axial strength of the reinforced hollow concrete block column was smaller due to its inefficient bond with the infilled concrete, leading to their separation under the compressive axial load.

Keywords

• Strength
• Hollow concrete block
• Masonry wall
• Beam
• Column