Influence of Mixing Water Content and Curing Time on Bond Strength of Clinker Masonry: The Wrench Test Method

In the present study, experimental investigations on the influence of mixing water content used for the preparation of mortar mix using factory-made dry-mix mortar dedicated to bricklaying with clinker masonry units are presented, as well as the curing time on flexural bond strength of masonry made of these two materials. The flexural bond strength was tested using the “wrench test” method. The masonry tests specimens were prepared using three volumes of mixing water as follows: 4.0 L (the value recommended by the mortar manufacturer); 4.5 L; and 5 L of tap water per one 25 kg bag of dry pre-mixed mortar. The influence of the mixing water content was analyzed in relation to curing time. All masonry specimens were tested in four series after 9, 14, 21, and 28 days of sample curing. The results showed that the use of 6 and 18% more mixing water than recommended by the manufacturer (4.5 and 5 L per bag) adversely affected flexural bond strength. Moreover, for all three mixing water amounts, it was found that the maximum values of bonding strength were reached after 9 days of curing, which decreased over time. The largest decreases (30–40%) were recorded after 14 days. After 21 days, these values continued to decrease, but more slowly. The final value of the ratio of bond strength to flexural strength of the mortar was similar for all amounts of mixing water and for the 28-day curing time, it oscillated around 0.2.