Mechanical characteristics of stabilized compressed earth brick masonry elements: experimental and detailed micro-modeling

Abstract

Using earth in Compressed Earth Brick (CEB) is one of the major ways to reduce the environmental impact of the building construction sector. However, its widespread adoption as a load-bearing wall material is hindered by a lack of consensus regarding the characterization of its elements. The objective of this study was to experimentally characterize stabilized CEB masonry elements and propose a numerical model to evaluate the mechanical behaviour of this masonry. Prismatic specimens of CEB and mortar were subjected to direct tensile and compressive tests. The behavior of the brick-mortar interface was also characterized by push-out and tensile tests. These experimental characterizations were numerically simulated using DIANA FEA software. The “Total Crack Strain Model” (for brick and mortar) and Coulomb Friction Model (for the interface) faithfully reproduced the failure modes and characteristic parameters of the elements. A 2D detailed micromodel of a masonry wall was simulated in unconfined compression and revealed good accuracy with the experimental test. This study demonstrates the relevance of some test setups for the characterization of CEB masonry elements. It provides robust characterization data for CEB masonry elements and establishes key recommendations for reliable numerical modeling.