The methodology used was adapted from ABNT NBR 15691-2:2011 – Structural masonry – Concrete blocks – Part 2: Execution and control of works – Test for the determination of tensile strength in prism bending. This adaptation consists in pulling prisms through the addition of concentrated load, equidistant from the supports, and evaluating the tensile stress that this system resists.

For the determination of the compressive strength of the prisms, it was adapted the methodology of ABNT NBR 15691 – 2: 2011 – Structural masonry – Concrete blocks – Part 2: Execution and control of works and also ABNT NBR 12118:2011 – Blocks made of simple concrete for masonry: Test methods. In order to obtain the prisms module of elasticity, the procedures of item 4 of ABNT NBR 15961 – 2 : 2011 Structural masonry – Concrete blocks – Part 2 were followed: Execution and control of works.

For the determination of durability, the proof bodies were submitted to aging acceleration cycles during the period of one year. Their performance was tested every 6 months when tested for shear strength. C-UV ACCELERATED AGING SYSTEM. The C-UV is a simulation laboratory of the nature destruction force, predicting the relative durability of materials exposed to the inclement weather. It has a CONDENSATION process with POTABLE water saturated with OXYGEN, self-generated by the system. The exposure TEMPERATURE of the proof bodies is automatically controlled according to the programs established for UV/CONDENSATION cycles. In a few days or weeks the C-UV can produce the degradation that would occur in months or years. In this degradation we observe the destructive effects of weathering: calcination, loss of color or brightness, turbidity, loss of opacity and plasticity, loss of adhesion/resistance, appearance of cracks, bubbles, etc.

The wetting and drying cycles consist of immersing the proof bodies in water, until complete saturation, and then drying at room temperature or in an oven at 40ºC.

Immersion of proof bodies in neutral, basic and acid solutions for a period of 07 days. After this period the samples are washed in running water and put to dry for 24 hours in an oven at 110ºC and removed 1h before the tensile test is performed.