Structural Strength of Hollow Clay Tile Assemblages

Clay tile and wall assemblages were tested as compressive prisms with six types of tile units. Specimens were tested at eccentricity ratios of 0, 1/6, and 1/3. Wall column specimens were built in three heights for the 4-in. units (h/t=10, 20, 40) and in two heights for the 6-in. and 8-in. units (h/t=10, 20) and tested with eccentricity ratios of 0, 1/6, and 1/3. Since walls may span either vertically between floors or horizontally between walls and columns, the specimens, approximately 4 ft times 8 ft, of each unit type with the span perpendicular and with the span parallel to bed joints were tested. The shear capacity was determined from the diagonal tension test method of loading opposite corners of a square panel to cause tensile failure perpendicular to direction of load.