Mechanical properties of load bearing walls made of uruguayan hollow ceramic bricks

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the mechanical characteristics of masonry walls made of hollow ceramic uruguayan bricks, based on results obtained in laboratory tests that determine the compressive, bending and shear strength of brickwork specimens and the compressive strength of the hollow or perforated bricks used to manufacture them. It also discusses the way the specimens fail and the dependence of the masonry walls mechanical strength on the compressive strength of the bricks. A strong relationship between the compressive strength of brickwork specimens tested and the compressive strength of the bricks they were manufactured with, is observed. The equations that best appear to link these two mechanical characteristics, for bricks with compressive strengths up to 25 daN/cm2, were determined. However, is not observed a direct relation between tested brickwork specimens bending or shear strength, and the compressive strength of the bricks with which they were manufactured. It seems crucial, both in masonry bending and shear strength, the adhesion between ceramic bricks and mortar.