To study the effect of pointing mortar on the compressive behavior of masonry walls

according to different depth and strength of the pointing mortar

twelve wall specimens reinforced with pointing mortar and three unreinforced specimens were tested under uniaxial compression. Two test parameters

depth and strength of the pointing mortar

were investigated in terms of their effects on the cracking load

failure load

stress-strain relationship and elastic modulus of the reinforced specimens. Test results show that

compared to the unreinforced specimens

the specimens reinforced with pointing mortar exhibit a decrease in cracking load and an increase in both failure load and elastic modulus. And the increase range depends on the depth and strength of the pointing mortar

in which the largest reaches 30%. The cracking patterns and failure modes are similar for both reinforced and unreinforced specimens tested. Based on the test data and theoretical analysis

according to the formula from the code for design for masonry structures

equations that account for the depth and strength of the pointing mortar are proposed for predicting the compressive strength

stress-strain curve and elastic modulus of the pointed masonry walls. The test results also indicate that pointing can be used as a means of reinforcing masonry walls

especially for the historical buildings.