Abstract: An attempt has been made in the present investigation to know the geological characteristics of stones and also structural characteristics of different types of stone and masonry. For a clear understanding of the behaviour of stone masonry under various loading conditions the properties i.e. the strength of masonry are essential. The structural performance of masonry is indeed influenced greatly by the bonding between masonry units and mortar. The two materials fail to act together in the event of a separation between the two. The failure of masonry in compression is often accompanied by a loss of bond between the masonry unit and the mortar. Since the masonry unit mortar interfere is under shearing stress, the failure in shear bond is likely to occur at the interface. Hence the strength of masonry unit stone mortar joints under shear has been examined.

Keywords: Masonry, Stones, Geological characteristics, Compressive strength and Shear bond strength.

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2021.8442