Effect of openings on the behaviour of rammed earth structures under quasi-static loading

Abstract

Rammed earth (RE) is a centuries-old construction technique that uses renewable resources found in the surrounding environment. As for concrete or timber houses, doors and windows are mandatory. Until date, the effect of openings on the mechanical behaviour of RE structures has received little attention. The primary contribution of this research is to assess the impact of opening on the behaviour of RE structures. A three-dimensional finite element models of RE walls were developed and calibrated against three experimental tests by Lilley and Robinson (1995). In the experimental study, RE walls with the geometrical dimensions 2285 mm × 1220 mm × 305 mm (length × height × thickness) were constructed from unstabilized soil and evaluated under in-plane compression loading. The considered walls have two types of openings: arch-type and rectangular shape. The numerical results obtained through non-linear finite element method analysis demonstrate the pertinence of the proposed model for quantifying bearing capacity and failure modes. Using the verified numerical model, a parametric study was carried out to investigate the effects of material characteristics, the geometrical characteristics of the opening and finally the improvement options using lintel reinforcements.