# Analytical Studies on the Compressive Properties of Mortise–Tenon Interlocking Grouted Masonry

## TL;DR

This study introduces a new masonry structure with improved compressive strength and ductility using steel fiber-reinforced concrete and provides design tools for its application.

## Contribution

The novel MTGM structure and its design method based on experimental and numerical analysis are introduced.

## Key findings

- Using SFRC as core material increases ultimate strain by 37% at 1.6% content.
- Eccentricity increase from 0.1 to 0.3 reduces load-bearing capacity by 40%.
- A stress–strain constitutive model with R2 = 0.992 was established for MTGM.

## Abstract

This paper proposes a novel mortise-and-tenon grouted masonry (MTGM) structure to enhance the mechanical performance and engineering applicability of masonry. The axial and eccentric compressive behavior of the system was systematically investigated through experimental testing and numerical simulation. A refined three-dimensional finite element model, developed in DIANA, effectively accounted for material nonlinearity and interfacial contact, with its high accuracy confirmed by experimental results. The parametric analysis of 52 numerical models elucidated the influence of block strength, core material type, wall thickness, steel fiber content, and geometric ratios on the compressive strength, deformation capacity, and failure modes. The results demonstrate that using steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) as the core filling material significantly enhances ductility and toughness; an SFRC content of 1.6% increased the ultimate strain by approximately 37%. Furthermore, increasing the eccentricity from 0.1 to 0.3 led to an average 40% reduction in load-bearing capacity. Theoretical analysis led to the derivation of calculation formulae relating to key axial compression parameters. Furthermore, a stress–strain constitutive relationship suitable for MTGM was established, featuring a parabolic ascending branch and a linear descending branch (R2 = 0.992). For eccentric compression, a practical design method was developed based on the plane section assumption, which demonstrated superior predictive accuracy compared to existing code provisions. This study provides a reliable theoretical foundation and practical computational tools for the structural design and application of MTGM.