Research update: sustainable technology

The transverse lateral load capacity of masonry built using solid dense concrete blocks with thin joint mortar is up to 4.0 times that of similar blockwork constructed using conventional mortar. Both the mortar properties and the constituents of the parent material forming the block alter the joint strength resulting in enhancements to tensile flexural bond strength. Testing on two block types and one mortar has been undertaken and verifies the trend. Essentially when thin joint technology is employed, in conjunction with solid dense concrete blocks, the masonry behaves more as a concrete plate than conventional blockwork. A. N. Fried, BSc (Civ) Eng, MSc, PhD, CEng, MICE, FBMS School of Engineering, Kingston University, London E. Marrocchino, PhD Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy C. Bradsell, BSc (Hons) School of Engineering, Kingston University, London Prof. John J. Roberts, BSc(Eng), PhD, CEng, FIStructE, FICE, FBMS, FIMgt, MICT Faculty of Technology, Kingston University, London