Structural performance of reinforced interlocking blocks column

- Interlocking block columns are tested under axial load.
- The fresh and harden properties of infills have been recorded.
- Analysis showed infills have significant correlation with column strength.
- A reduction factor is proposed while adopting current code design specifications.

Interlocking blocks have been actively applied into current wall systems in the construction industry and limited references can be found on the axial loaded compressed column. Therefore, in this research, interlocking blocks have been innovatively assembled as columns for developing a new system that can replace the conventional concrete construction to block construction, without concrete beams and columns. These interlocking block columns are tested in the laboratory in order to investigate their structural performance under axial load. The fresh and harden properties of infills have been recorded. As the compressive strength of infill materials increased, the initial stiffness and strength showed a significant growth. An incrementing trend was also noted when increasing the reinforcement bar size. Pearson and partial correlation analysis showed infills have significant correlation with column compressive capacity. Comparison has been conducted between experimental results, Eurocode reinforced concrete and Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC) design specifications. The differences were ranged from 0.65 to 1.85. Parametric study with variables of infills and reinforcement bar was carried out by adopting the Eurocode design to interlocking block columns and introducing a 0.8 reduction factor. Design recommendations have been made where the strength of infills should limit to 50 MPa and reinforcement bar size should not greater than 30 mm. As the dimension in assembling the column, further reduction on slenderness can be ignored.