ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a pilot research conducted to determine the influence of block geometry on the performance of clay masonry under axial compression. Structural masonry in Brazil utilizes fired clay and concrete blocks. In Brazil, structural concrete blocks have been used slightly longer than structural ceramic blocks, but the use of structural ceramic blocks has increased significantly in the last two decades due to the abundant and high quality clay deposits throughout the country. Small-scale specimens are used due to resource constraints and time constraints, but the effects of scaling of specimens on testing of masonry elements and structures are well known. The block with double central web should be prototyped and tested using full-scale tests. The information obtained from these future full-scale tests will help determine the economic feasibility of further development of the block.
