Influence of the type of mortar joint on the time dependent behaviour of masonry

In the Netherlands thin layer mortars are usually applied in calcium silicate blockwork, but there is a tendency to use thin layer mortars also for concrete and clay brickwork. The paper describes an experimental research into the influence of the type mortar (thin layer and general purpose) on creep and shrinkage of masonry. Concrete, clay brick and calcium silicate units were used. The ratio between joint thickness and unit height was also a parameter for calcium silicate masonry. Detailed measurements, carried out for a period of 300 days, were performed perpendicular and parallel to the bed joint. Furthermore the mass of the shrinkage specimens was recorded