The developed study aimed at investigating the mechanical behavior of a new type of self-insulating concrete masonry unit (SCMU). A total of 12 full-grouted wall assemblages were prepared and tested for compression and shear strength. In addition, different axial stress ratios were used in shear tests. Furthermore, numerical models were developed to predict the behavior of grouted specimens using simplified micro-modeling technique. The mortar joints were modeled with zero thickness and their behavior was applied using the traction–separation model of the cohesive element. The experimental results revealed that the shear resistance increases as the level of precompression increases. A good agreement between the experimental results and numerical models was observed. It was concluded that the proposed models can be used to deduct the general behavior of grouted specimens.

Considering the advantages of energy conservation and reducing the construction skill requirement of the workers, a new type of interlocking hollow block using recycled aggregates concrete (IHB-RAC) with the compressive strength up to 10 Mpa was proposed, which could help improve more than 56% of the construction efficiency compared to commonly used concrete hollow blocks. In order to study the mechanical properties and promote the application of this new type block in building engineering, the masonries considering different strengths of mortar and the concrete used in the grouting holes were designed, and the corresponding compressive and shear strength, as well as the failure mode of the masonries were studied according to the test results. Then, experimental results were compared with the calculated values obtained from Chinese code GB50003-2011 to check the suitability of the standards. In order to make an accurate prediction of the compressive strength of the masonry, modifying coefficients were suggested considering the positive contributions of the connecting keys. In addition, according to the test results, an appropriate calculation method for accurately predicting the shear strength of the grouted IHB-RAC masonry was proposed by separately considering the effort of the mortar and the grouting hole concrete.