The Impact of Lime Content in Cement Mortar on the Shear Stress and Ductility of Perforated Brick Masonry Wallets

Maissene  Benhadji; Omar Bouksani; Fattoum Kharchi; Farid Belhamel

doi:10.48084/etasr.11024

Authors

Maissene Benhadji Built Environment Research Laboratory (LBE), Civil Engineering Faculty, USTHB, Algeria
Omar Bouksani Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Yahia Fares University, Medea Algeria, Built Environment Research Laboratory (LBE), Civil Engineering Faculty, USTHB
Fattoum Kharchi Built Environment Research Laboratory (LBE), Civil Engineering Faculty, USTHB, Algeria
Farid Belhamel National Center of Studies and Integrated Research on Building Engineering, Algeria

Volume: 15 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 25388-25394 | August 2025 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.11024

Received: 16 May 2025 | Revised: 10 June 2025 | Accepted: 15 June 2025 | Online: 2 August 2025

Corresponding author: Omar Bouksani

Abstract

The partial replacement of cement with lime can offer significant advantages in restoring historic masonry, as traditional mortar compositions were predominantly lime-based. This study examines how incorporating lime into jointing mortar affects the shear behavior of masonry wallets subjected to diagonal tensile tests. To this end, masonry wallets were constructed using mortars in which lime replaced cement at levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% by weight. The mechanical properties of the mortars were assessed through compressive and flexural strength tests and the shear behavior of the wallets was evaluated using diagonal tensile tests. The results indicate that substituting cement with lime increases the mortar ductility. Furthermore, the diagonal tensile tests showed that integrating lime into the mortars improves the overall performance of the masonry, suggesting that lime could be used as an alternative to restore historic masonry structures.

Keywords:

masonry, mortar, lime, brick, diagonal tensile test, shear stress, ductility

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