@misc{9235026,
  abstract     = {{Masonry reuse has gained increasing attention within sustainable construction due to the substantial use and the large environmental impact associated with construction and demolition waste. The bond between brick and mortar plays a critical role in both the structural performance of masonry and the potential for future brick reclamation. Strong brick–mortar bonds improve structural capacity but may reduce separability and increase the risk of brick damage during demolition and cleaning. This study therefore investigated how mortar composition, brick properties, and curing conditions influence flexural bond strength and failure behaviour in masonry couplets, with particular focus on implication for brick reuse.

Experimental testing was conducted using the bond wrench test according to SS-EN 1052-5. Three brick types and four mortar types were combined under both laboratory and cold–climate curing conditions, resulting in 24 different brick–mortar–curing combinations. The mortars varied in composition, compressive strength, air content, and water transport properties. Flexural bond strength and failure modes were evaluated for all combinations. Statistical analysis using ANOVA was performed to assess whether the investigated parameters had statistically significant effects on the measured flexural bond strength. 

The measured flexural bond strength values ranged on an average from 0.06 MPa to 0.61 MPa. Mortar type was identified as the most influential parameter affecting flexural bond strength. The results indicated that mortar compressive strength alone could not explain the measured bond behaviour, since one mortar type achieved the highest compressive strength but did not produce the highest bond strength values. Instead, the findings suggest that bond development depends on the interaction between parameters such as mortar composition, air content, moisture transport properties, and brick absorption characteristics. Brick type also significantly influenced bond performance, while cold–climate curing generally reduced bond strength and increased variability, although its influence was smaller and less consistent than that of mortar and brick type.

Failure modes showed clear differences between mortar combinations and provided important insight into brick separability. Stronger mortar combinations frequently produced failure within the mortar bed or brick unit, increasing the risk of brick damage during separation. Weaker mortars more commonly resulted in interface-related failure, which is considered more favourable for brick reclamation. The results therefore suggest that moderate bond strengths may provide a more suitable balance between structural performance and reuse potential.

Overall, the study demonstrates that optimisation of masonry systems for both durability and circularity require a holistic approach considering not only mechanical strength, but also failure behaviour, moisture transport, and material compatibility at the brick–mortar interface.}},
  author       = {{Delin, Scarlett}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{0349-4969}},
  title        = {{Towards Circular Construction: Optimizing Brick-Mortar Bond Strength for Reusable Masonry in Cold Climate}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}