Bond Characteristics of Earth Block Masonry
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 11, Issue 3
Abstract
Earth block construction offers a low energy alternative to conventional low-rise building materials such as clay fired masonry units, concrete, processed timber, and steel framed construction. Used to some extent in areas such as New Mexico, further development of the technology has been hampered somewhat by very limited understanding of material performance. In this paper, work undertaken to study the flexural bond strength characteristics in pressed earth block masonry is summarized. Cement stabilized pressed earth blocks were fabricated using a manual press and masonry piers were built using both cement:lime:sand and soil:cement mortars. Flexural strengths were determined using the bond wrench method. Bond strength is shown to be a function of both block and mortar strength, as well as block moisture content during construction, and mortar clay content. Bond strengths decreased significantly with saturation of the masonry but showed litle development beyond 1 day after construction. Characteristic bond strengths in pressed earth masonry are typically much less than values generally assumed in conventional masonry. In conclusion the paper outlines recommendations for mortar usage with pressed earth blocks.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 11 • Issue 3 • August 1999
Pages: 249 - 256
History
Received: Mar 12, 1998
Published online: Aug 1, 1999
Published in print: Aug 1999
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