A methodology for the mix design of earth bedding mortar

Earth masonry is a good alternative to more conventional materials in order to reduce the environmental impact of building materials. However earth construction techniques mostly rely on bricklayers’ experience, which is a hindrance to industrial development of this traditional know-how. This article proposes a methodology for the mix design of unstabilized earth bedding mortar based on mechanical criteria of the masonry and rheological criteria of fresh mortar. A test to characterize the shear strength of the masonry interface is specially investigated. The mechanical performances of the formulated mortar are then validated with laboratory scale characterization.

[1]  A. Mesbah,et al.  Comparaison de méthodes d’essais de mesures des caractéristiques mécaniques des mortiers de terre , 2003 .

[2]  Stephanie L. Walkup,et al.  Guide for the Design and Construction of Externally Bonded FRP Systems for Strengthening Concrete Structures (ACI 440.2R-02) , 2005 .

[3]  Bijan Samali,et al.  Static and Dynamic Testing of Adobe-Mudbrick Structures , 2008 .

[4]  Jean-Emmanuel Aubert,et al.  Chequered earth construction in south-western France , 2015 .

[5]  A. Schwartzentruber,et al.  La méthode du mortier de béton équivalent (MBE)—Un nouvel outil d’aide à la formulation des bétons adjuvantés , 2000 .

[6]  Lorenzo Miccoli,et al.  Experimental testing and finite element modelling of earth block masonry , 2015 .

[7]  Lorenzo Miccoli,et al.  Mechanical behaviour of earthen materials: A comparison between earth block masonry, rammed earth and cob , 2014 .

[8]  Peter Walker,et al.  Properties of some cement stabilised compressed earth blocks and mortars , 1997 .

[9]  Aníbal Costa,et al.  Behaviour Characterization and Rehabilitation of Adobe Construction , 2015 .

[10]  Muhammad Ali,et al.  Performance characteristics of enhanced soil blocks: a quantitative review , 2015 .

[11]  Lorenzo Miccoli,et al.  Experimental investigations on the initial shear strength of masonry with earth mortars , 2018 .

[12]  Peter Walker,et al.  Laboratory scale testing of extruded earth masonry units , 2013 .

[13]  Jean-Emmanuel Aubert,et al.  Effects of the anisotropy of extruded earth bricks on their hygrothermal properties , 2014 .

[14]  Jean-Emmanuel Aubert,et al.  Plant aggregates and fibers in earth construction materials: A review , 2016 .

[15]  Humberto Varum,et al.  Structural behaviour assessment and material characterization of traditional adobe constructions , 2007 .

[16]  P. Maillard,et al.  Towards a simple compressive strength test for earth bricks? , 2016 .

[17]  Peter Walker,et al.  Building houses with local materials: means to drastically reduce the environmental impact of construction , 2001 .

[18]  João Luís Parracha,et al.  Vernacular Earthen Buildings from Leiria, Portugal – Material Characterization , 2019, International Journal of Architectural Heritage.

[19]  Peter Walker,et al.  Compressive strength of extruded unfired clay masonry units , 2009 .

[20]  Ioannis Ioannou,et al.  Overview of the Pathology, Repair and Strengthening of Adobe Structures , 2013 .

[21]  Gabriele Milani,et al.  Analysis of masonry structures: review of and recent trends in homogenization techniquesThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue on Masonry. , 2007 .

[22]  Jean-Claude Morel,et al.  An earth block with a compressive strength higher than 45 MPa , 2013 .

[23]  Charalampos Mouzakis,et al.  Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), texture, consistency and organic matter in soil assessment for earth construction: The case of earth mortars , 2019, Construction and Building Materials.

[24]  Myriam Olivier,et al.  Le matériau terre, compactage, comportement, application aux structures en bloc sur terre , 1994 .

[25]  Nicolas Meunier,et al.  A procedure to assess the suitability of plaster to protect vernacular earthen architecture , 2012 .

[26]  J. Aubert,et al.  Hygrothermal properties of earth bricks , 2014 .

[27]  D. Rangeard,et al.  Strategies for optimizing the mechanical strengths of raw earth-based mortars , 2018 .

[28]  Lorenzo Miccoli,et al.  Charakterisierung und Modellierung der mechanischen Eigenschaften von Lehmsteinmauerwerk – Mechanical Characterization and Modelling of Earth Block Masonry , 2012 .