Grant: Alliance Grants
Concordia University
$90,000.00
Characterization and structural behaviour of dry-stacked interlocking masonry
EF 2024-25
Résumé
Masonry has been one of Canada's resilient construction techniques for decades because of its modular suitability, durability, and enhanced structural response. The masonry industry is well-established in Canada for building residential, commercial, and industrial structures. However, it still lacks innovative construction techniques to further help fast-track projects with more cost-effectiveness and safety at a lower construction time. Dry-stacked Interlocking Masonry (DSIM) is gaining more interest as an effective construction system that addresses fast-track projects' needs. It is a mortarless masonry construction procedure that employs interlocking between masonry blocks to ensure a load path continuity through vertical and horizontal joints.
This research proposal aims to study the structural behaviour of DSIM as loadbearing walls, foundation walls, and non-loadbearing walls. The intent is to investigate whether DSIM assemblages, components, and systems can be safely used in low- to moderate-hazard seismic zones in structural applications such as seismic-force resisting systems, supporting out-of-plane loads, and high gravity loads. The objectives of this research are: (1) Quantifying the structural performance of DSIM blocks compared to conventional masonry blocks; (2) Developing numerical models capable of modelling structures with DSIM blocks; and (3) Codification for the CSA S304 design standard and NBCC code. To achieve these objectives, the proposed research will have two parallel, yet interactive, axes: experimental and numerical/analytical.
Besides investigating DSIM as an efficient construction technique, this research will provide much-needed experimental, analytical, and numerical data on DSIM systems, enhance practical advancements, develop code guidelines, and generate specifications and detailed provisions for the next generation of Canadian masonry design standards, as well as help train HQP. These advancements will, in turn, have a significant impact on supporting the growing masonry industry and helping build safe and resilient structures in Canada.
Programme
Alliance Grants
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Quebec, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
587121-2023
Name nom
Galal, Khaled KE
Department département
Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Organization id
70
Institution établissement
Concordia University
Province en
Québec
Province fr
Québec
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2023
Award amount
90000
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
601
Area of application group en
Construction, urban and rural planning
Area of application group fr
Construction, urbanisme et aménagement rural
Area of application en
Structural engineering
Area of application fr
Génie des charpentes
Research subject code
1100
Research subject group en
Structural engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie des structures
Research subject en
Structural engineering
Research subject fr
Génie des structures
Field of research list names en
Not available
Field of research list names fr
Non disponible
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Not available
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Non disponible
Application title
Characterization and structural behaviour of dry-stacked interlocking masonry
Keywords
codes and standards; dry-stacked masonry; experimental testing; masonry structures; mechanistic models; morterless masonry; numerical modelling; reinforced masonry; seismic loading; wind loading
Application summary
Masonry has been one of Canada's resilient construction techniques for decades because of its modular suitability, durability, and enhanced structural response. The masonry industry is well-established in Canada for building residential, commercial, and industrial structures. However, it still lacks innovative construction techniques to further help fast-track projects with more cost-effectiveness and safety at a lower construction time. Dry-stacked Interlocking Masonry (DSIM) is gaining more interest as an effective construction system that addresses fast-track projects' needs. It is a mortarless masonry construction procedure that employs interlocking between masonry blocks to ensure a load path continuity through vertical and horizontal joints.
This research proposal aims to study the structural behaviour of DSIM as loadbearing walls, foundation walls, and non-loadbearing walls. The intent is to investigate whether DSIM assemblages, components, and systems can be safely used in low- to moderate-hazard seismic zones in structural applications such as seismic-force resisting systems, supporting out-of-plane loads, and high gravity loads. The objectives of this research are: (1) Quantifying the structural performance of DSIM blocks compared to conventional masonry blocks; (2) Developing numerical models capable of modelling structures with DSIM blocks; and (3) Codification for the CSA S304 design standard and NBCC code. To achieve these objectives, the proposed research will have two parallel, yet interactive, axes: experimental and numerical/analytical.
Besides investigating DSIM as an efficient construction technique, this research will provide much-needed experimental, analytical, and numerical data on DSIM systems, enhance practical advancements, develop code guidelines, and generate specifications and detailed provisions for the next generation of Canadian masonry design standards, as well as help train HQP. These advancements will, in turn, have a significant impact on supporting the growing masonry industry and helping build safe and resilient structures in Canada.
