Stability coefficient of interlocking compressed earth block masonry under axial compression

To investigate the effects of the height-thickness ratio (beta) on the mechanical properties and stability coefficients (phi(s)) of interlocking compressed earth block (ICEB) masonry members under axial compression, four groups of specimens with different beta of 3.75, 6.75, 11.25, and 14.25 were tested, thereby assessing their stress process, failure mode, compressive strength, and in- and out-of-plane deformations. All the specimens underwent brittle failure under axial compression: the compressive strength was found to decrease in a range from 5.6% to 43% with increasing beta, whereas the initial stacking defects and the in- and out-of-plane deformations increased. The specimens became less stable, and we noticed that the overall damage was caused by strength failure and not instability failures. Because the stability coefficient of ICEB-based masonry components cannot be calculated as those of more conventional brickwork, we combined our results with well-established masonry design guidelines and derived an interlocking improvement coefficient. Finally, we proposed a formula for calculating the axial compression stability coefficient of ICEB masonry that can provide a useful reference for subsequent research on ICEB walls.

Automated summary

The study showed that with the increase in the height-thickness ratio, the stability and compressive strength of interlocking compressed earth block (ICEB) masonry members decrease, while deformations increase. The overall damage was mainly caused by strength failure rather than instability failures.