Abstract
The rapid growth of contemporary construction industry has driven engineers to explore new construction techniques for sustainable development. Interlocking block wall construction reduces time, labour and enhances construction efficiency compared to conventional masonry wall construction. The interlocking pattern has been applied to the top and bottom surface of block to withstand gravity and lateral loads whereas current interlocking blocks only serve the purpose of easy alignment. In this study, eco-friendly blocks have been developed with industrial waste such as fly ash, quarry dust and geopolymer as binder. Tests to evaluate the compressive strength, water absorption and efflorescence have been carried out on both traditional and geopolymer interlocking blocks. Later, on two blocks joint, in-plane vertical load has been applied and the same model is generated to validate the failure. Using numerical modelling, horizontal and vertical load resistance of interlocking block wall and traditional brick wall was compared. The experimental results show that, relative to traditional clay brick, the compressive strength of the geopolymer interlocking block was high but the absorption of water was low. The vertical load resistance is identical but horizontal load resistance was high in interlocking block wall. The interlocking geopolymer block was the best approach for environmental sustainability.
Structural properties of a masonry wall construction of "munlock dry wall brick" sponsored by the Munlock Engineering Co.