Failure process and load-displace- ment relationship of rectangular block and interlocking block walls during in-plane lateral loading

Abstract

We investigated the effectiveness of using interlocking blocks to reinforce masonry structures. In-plane lateral loading tests were conducted on block walls constructed with three types of block shapes: rectangular blocks, I-shaped blocks, and wave-shaped blocks. The failure process and load-displacement relationships of these three masonry wall types were compared under three vertical stress levels: 0.2 N/mm2, 0.4 N/mm2, and 0.6 N/mm2. It was found that the interlocking mechanism had a strengthening effect under a small vertical stress, and that the effectiveness of the interlocking blocks decreased as the vertical stress increased.