Stability coefficient of interlocking compressed earth block masonry under axial compression

Abstract

To investigate the effects of the height–thickness ratio (β) on the mechanical properties and stability coefficients ([Formula: see text]) of interlocking compressed earth block (ICEB) masonry members under axial compression, four groups of specimens with different β 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 β, 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.