What the study found
The study found that mortise-and-tenon grouted masonry can improve the mechanical performance of masonry under compression. It also found that steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) as the core filling material improved ductility and toughness, while higher eccentricity reduced load-bearing capacity.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the study provides a reliable theoretical foundation and practical computational tools for the structural design and application of mortise-and-tenon grouted masonry. They suggest this may improve the engineering applicability of masonry.
What the researchers tested
The researchers examined axial and eccentric compressive behavior through experiments and numerical simulation. They built a refined three-dimensional finite element model in DIANA, and used 52 numerical models to study the effects of block strength, core material type, wall thickness, steel fiber content, and geometric ratios.
What worked and what didn't
The finite element model was reported to match the experimental results closely and to account for material nonlinearity and interfacial contact effectively. SFRC core filling improved ductility and toughness, and 1.6% SFRC increased ultimate strain by about 37%; by contrast, increasing eccentricity from 0.1 to 0.3 reduced load-bearing capacity by an average of 40%. The study also derived calculation formulae for key axial compression parameters, established a stress-strain relationship with a parabolic ascending branch and linear descending branch (R2 = 0.992), and developed an eccentric-compression design method that was more accurate than existing code provisions.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe specific experimental sample sizes, test configurations, or limitations beyond the modeled variables. The findings are presented for the mortise-and-tenon grouted masonry system studied here, so the scope is limited to the conditions reported in the abstract.
Key points
- Mortise-and-tenon grouted masonry was studied for axial and eccentric compressive behavior.
- A refined three-dimensional finite element model in DIANA matched experimental results closely.
- SFRC core filling improved ductility and toughness; 1.6% SFRC increased ultimate strain by about 37%.
- Increasing eccentricity from 0.1 to 0.3 reduced load-bearing capacity by an average of 40%.
- The study derived axial compression formulae and an eccentric-compression design method.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Mortise-tenon grouted masonry showed improved compressive performance
- Authors:
- Shugang Yu, Zhongmin Han, Kaiwei Liu, Kai Zhang, Yichen Yang, Juntao Zhu
- Institutions:
- Henan Provincial Academy of Building Research, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University
- Publication date:
- 2026-01-28
- DOI:
- 10.3390/ma19030522
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with scholarly research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.