Author
G. K. BOWLER AND R. H. SHARP
Hanson Brick Limited

Abstract
As the result of increasingly stringent thermal insulation requirements, modern external day brick cavity walls tend to be colder and wetter than was traditionally the case. This imposes greater risk of mortar deterioration through frost and/or sulfate action, and may also exacerbate efflorescence problems. The proposed adoption of CEN Standards for mortars and binders will give a wider range of mortar compositions, many of them untested in UK conditions. This paper describes the results of tests on various brick/mortar combinations built into square section bins and subject to long term outdoor exposure. The mortar is examined regularly, any damage recorded and the degree of efflorescence noted and photographed. An important aim of the work is to correlate actual masonry performance with laboratory tests for mortar durability. In addition, the resistance to water penetration of similar brick/mortar combinations were tested in a laboratory rig.