Comparison research of kind of mortar influence and bed joints reinforcement on shear parameters of AAC masonry walls

The work presents the results of tests on the shear parameters of walls made of autoclaved aerated concrete—AAC (f_b = 4.0 N/mm2) on the system mortar for thin M5 and M10 joints (f_m = 6.1 N/ mm2 and f_m = 11.9 N/mm2) and on polyurethane glue and also walls without mortar (dry masonry). The wall compression strength (per EN 1052–1:2000) amounted to f_c,mv = 2.97 N/mm2 (f_k = 2.48 N/mm2), elastic modulus was E_cm = 2040 N/mm2. Various structure of bed joints and head joints were applied and the following were used as reinforcement: steel trusses of EFZ 140/Z 140 type (Z1 type) and meshes made of plastics (Z2 type). Based on the tests carried out with regard to non-reinforced elements it was shown that the filling in of head joints with mortar had an advantageous effect on the values of cracking and destruction stresses. While, with the use of reinforcement advantageous increase of stress was obtained only when the mortar was laid twice on both bed surfaces of wall elements. The application of reinforcement in the bed joints when the mortar was laid only on one bed joints surface of the masonry units reduced the values of cracking and destruction stresses in relation to the values obtained in the non-reinforced walls.