Failure criterion for brickwork in axial compression

The object of this thesis is to establish a failure criterion for brickwork in axial compression. Chapter 1 introduces the problem of brickwork in compression and reviews previous investigations carried out in this area. It outlines the proposed failure theory for brickwork in compression, and finally lists the experimental and theoretical investigations to be undertaken in order to provide information required to formulate the proposed criterion. The general behaviour of brittle materials under the action of complex stresses and the existing theories developed to explain their failure mechanism are discussed in Chapter 2 In chapter 3, tests carried out on one-third scale model bricks to determine its biaxial compression-tension failure envelope are described. Certain observations concerning the basic strength properties of bricks are noted, An alternative method of determining the biaxial compression-tension strength relationship for ceramic material is carried out using clay pipe specimens; details of those experiments are given in Chapter I A study of the behaviour of brickwork mortar in a state of triaxial compression is recorded in Chapter 5 Chapter 6 presents a finite element analysis of the lateral stress distribution in brickwork under axial compression, the results of which clarified the mode of failure observed in axially-loaded brickwork. Using information gathered from investigations undertaken in earlier chapters, the proposed failure criterion for brickwork in axial conipression/