Indirect Tensile Test Research Articles

Stiffness, rutting, and fatigue performance evaluation of cement-natural rubber latex stabilized recycled concrete aggregate

ABSTRACT The stiffness, rutting, and fatigue performance of cement-natural rubber latex (NRL) stabilized recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) were evaluated under cyclic loading. The RCA was stabilized with 3% cement content and dry rubber content to cement (r/c) ratios at 5%, 10% and 15%. The performance evaluation was carried out through advanced experiments, including indirect tensile resilient modulus test, indirect tensile fatigue test, and rutting susceptibility test using a Hamburg wheel tracking device. The results indicated that the r/c ratio of 10% was optimum for cement-NRL stabilized RCA (3C10R-RCA), which exhibited the optimum performance in terms of permanent deformation, fatigue cracking, and rutting susceptibility. The indirect tensile fatigue life of 3C10R-RCA was found to be 79.3% greater than that of the 3% cement stabilized RCA (3C-RCA), while the rut depth of 3C10R-RCA was 8% lower. Although the resilient modulus value of 3C10R-RCA was slightly lower than that of 3C-RCA, the tensile permanent deformation was found to be lower, which is associated with the lower rut depth. As a result of the significant improvement in fatigue life and rutting performance, the resistance to fatigue cracking and premature failure of cement-NRL stabilized RCA were improved.

Sensitivity and Reliability Analysis of Ultrasonic Pulse Parameters in Evaluating the Laboratory Properties of Asphalt Mixtures.

The ultrasonic test is a promising non-destructive testing technique for evaluating the properties of asphalt mixtures. To investigate the applicability and reliability of ultrasonic testing technology (UTT) in evaluating the performance of asphalt mixtures, ultrasonic tests, indirect tensile tests, compression tests, and dynamic modulus tests were carried out at various temperatures. Subsequently, the distribution characteristics of ultrasonic traveling parameters for asphalt mixtures were analyzed. The variation of ultrasonic pulse velocity and amplitude in dry and wet states with temperature was studied. Then, the correlation between the ultrasonic parameters and both the volume parameters and the mechanical performance parameters of asphalt mixtures was revealed, and the functional relationship between ultrasonic pulse velocity and compressive strength was established. Finally, the reliability of predicting high-frequency dynamic modulus by ultrasonic velocity was verified. The laboratory tests and analysis results indicate that both ultrasonic pulse velocity and amplitude in dry and wet conditions show a decreasing trend with an increase in temperature. Ultrasonic parameters are greatly influenced by asphalt content and mineral aggregate content of 9.5~13.2 mm and 13.2~16 mm. The dynamic modulus at a high-frequency load can be predicted by using ultrasonic velocity, and predicting the results for OGFC and SMA mixtures deduced by using the UPV at a high-frequency load have higher reliability.

Enhancing HMA properties with polypropylene-based face mask integration: A qualitative comparison of wet mixing and dry mixing techniques

<span lang="EN-US">In the wake of the emergence and widespread dissemination of the COVID-19 coronavirus, scientifically identified as SARSCoV-2, the utilization of medical equipment, specifically tri-layered polypropylene (PP)-based face masks, has experienced significant proliferation. The extensive adoption of single-use polymer-based face masks has raised notable environmental concerns, given their extended degradation period of up to 480 years and their substantial threat to ecosystems, particularly aquatic organisms, due to pervasive littering practices. Hence, this study is dedicated to assessing the influence of incorporating polypropylene (PP)-based face masks into asphalt formulations. The incorporation of PP-based face masks into asphalt was executed at three distinct weight percentages, employing both dry and wet mixing techniques. Comprehensive performance evaluations were carried out utilizing the Marshall test, indirect tensile fatigue test, and Hamburg wheel tracking rutting experiments and the best value for each. Remarkably, augmenting the PP content yielded improvements in both fatigue life and rutting resistance of the asphalt mixtures, and the maximum improvement was recorded at 0.3% replacement. Notably, asphalt specimens prepared using dry mixing techniques outperformed their wet mixing counterparts, demonstrating superior cohesion attributes.</span>

Suitability of warm mix asphalt (WMA) technologies based on performance and energy consumption

Studying the effects of material variability on the performance of warm mix asphalt (WMA) is important to understand the benefits of reduced production temperatures. This study compares the performance of five different WMA mixtures prepared with two varying base binders and two different aggregate sources. The rutting, fatigue, and moisture sensitivity of asphalt mixtures were evaluated using cyclic compression test, indirect tensile cracking test, and modified Lottman test, respectively. Additionally, a theoretical analysis was used to compare the energy consumption during the production process. The results indicated that the performance of WMA is a function of the type of the base binder, aggregate source, and the type of WMA technology. Nonetheless, all the WMA mixtures contributed to higher energy savings in comparison to hot mix asphalt (HMA). Based on the ranking framework used in this study, the use of Rediset is recommended to achieve adequate performance and lower energy consumption.

Effects of γ radiation on rutting and fatigue performance of WPET asphalt mixtures

The generation of large amounts of waste polyethylene terephthalate (WPET) has caused serious environmental and health issues. This research aims to look into the potential reuse of WPET as a secondary material in highway construction and to assess the effect of gamma irradiation on the properties of WPET for use in asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures. Regular and gamma-irradiated WPET granules were used in AC mixes at optimal asphalt content levels. In different quantities, conventional granite aggregate was replaced with WPET granules (0, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% by volume). X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to examine the mechanical and thermal properties of regular and gamma-irradiated WPET. Rutting tests were done at 60 ºC, and indirect tensile fatigue testing were performed at 20 ºC. Analytical investigations demonstrated that gamma irradiating WPET increased its mechanical and thermal qualities. Rutting experiments revealed that AC mixes containing WPET granules had lower rut depths than the control mix. The mixes containing standard WPET that had been modified with 20% WPET had the least rut depth. The substitution of granite aggregate in mixes containing gamma-irradiated WPET could be up to 40% while maintaining better rutting resistance. Furthermore, fatigue results revealed that WPET-modified AC mixes had considerably greater fatigue failure cycles at all stress levels than the control mix. Notably, AC combinations containing conventional WPET performed better than those including gamma-irradiated WPET. This study demonstrates how gamma irradiation improves WPET properties in AC mixes.Both regular and gamma-irradiated WPET-modified AC mixes outperformed the control mixture in terms of rutting and fatigue cracking resistance, adding to material sustainability in highway construction.

Comparative fracture resistance assessment of rubber-modified asphalt mortar based on meso-and macro-mechanical analysis

ABSTRACT This study investigates the effects of ground tire rubber (GTR) on the cracking resistance of asphalt mortar from different analysis scales. Furthermore, the effectiveness of different fracture test methods was compared for GTR-modified asphalt mortar, including the indirect tensile cracking test (IDEAL-CT), disk-shaped compact tension test (DCT) and Illinois flexibility index test (I-FIT). To achieve this, a mesoscopic fracture test based on the SEM-Servo Plus device was proposed firstly to obtain the micro-parameters of constitutive models in discrete-element modelling (DEM). A unified fracture modelling procedure that can avoid any interference factors was carried out for comparative fracture analysis. Results from the tests and simulations show that rubber filler plays a positive role in enhancing the fracture properties of the asphalt mortar. The fracture energy measured by IDEAL-CT is almost 5–6 times of the DC(T) test and 1.5–2 times of the I-FIT test. It is not an inherent attribute of material and can only be regarded as a relative index for fracture resistance evaluation. The FI and CTindex obtained from the I-FIT and IDEAL-CT test show a weak correlation of fracture resistance, especially when comparatively evaluating the GTR-modified asphalt mortar with minor difference in filler content.

Laboratory evaluation of the effect of microfibers on the low-temperature cracking performance of grouted macadam mixtures

Grouted Macadam (GM) mixtures are a composite of bituminous and cementitious phases used as pavement semi-flexible overlays because of their high static bearing capacity and rutting resistance, good durability, and proper resistance to chemical attacks and fossil fuels. However, these mixtures do not have good performance at low temperatures. Reinforcement by fibers is a popular method to improve the performance of asphalt and concrete mixtures and has the potential to be used to reinforce GM mixtures. This study aims to reinforce both bituminous and cementitious phases of GM mixtures using glass based (Microcorta) and polypropylene based (PP) fibers, respectively. The bituminous phase of the first group of the GM mixtures was reinforced with 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 vol% of glass microfibers (MC). In addition, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 vol% of PP fibers were used to produce the cement grout of the second group of GM mixtures. In the next step, the performance of each group was compared with that of the fiber-free samples using a three-point bending test (TPB) and low-temperature indirect tensile test (IDT). Based on the obtained results, GM mixtures’ best low-temperature performance in both IDT and TPB tests was obtained for mixtures containing the highest percentage of fibers (0.6% of MC and 0.4% of P.P fibers). Also, it was observed that the reinforcement of the bituminous phase increased the fracture strain tolerance (FST) in the TPB and IDT tests by 66.19% and 25.01%, respectively, compared to fiber-free samples. Moreover, using fiber-reinforced cement grout has been able to enhance the FST index in the TPB and IDT tests by 91.87% and 30.9%, respectively, compared to fiber-free samples. Overall, the results demonstrate that the reinforcement of both bituminous and cementitious phases of GM mixtures by microfibers can help improve their ability to resist low-temperature cracks.

Mechanical and internal structural damage evolution in cold recycled mixture under fatigue loading

Cold recycling technology has the virtue of lower cost, fewer pollutant emissions, and less consumption of raw materials and fossil fuels in pavement maintenance and construction. This study aimed to investigate the evolution of fatigue damage in cold recycled mixtures and provide a theoretical basis for improving the service life of cold recycled pavements with high reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) utilization rates, ultimately contributing to energy and resource conservation. To achieve this objective, we conducted a study on the mechanical and internal structural damage evolution of cold recycled mixtures produced using different agents (cement and asphalt emulsion). This was accomplished by combining indirect tensile fatigue testing with X-ray CT scanning techniques. The results indicate that the mechanical response of cold recycled mixtures under fatigue loading is closely related to the evolution of their internal structure during various stages of fatigue. Furthermore, it is found that the type of stabilization agent used in these mixtures has a significant impact on their initial air void content and volume distribution, which ultimately affects both the rate and extent of their mechanical and structural damage evolution. Based on these results, recommendations have been proposed for enhancing the fatigue performance of cold recycled pavement through appropriate mixture design strategies that account for these factors mentioned above.

An Evaluation of the Cracking Resistance of Steel- and Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Asphalt Mixtures Produced at Different Temperatures

This study focuses on the effects of the production temperatures, warm mix asphalt (WMA) additive, and fiber content on the cracking resistance of steel- and glass-fiber-reinforced asphalt mixtures. By using three different approaches, which included different mixing and compaction temperatures, along with the incorporation of a WMA additive, the samples were produced utilizing the Marshall mix design method. The low-temperature cracking resistance and bottom-up fatigue cracking resistance of the asphalt mixture samples were assessed through indirect tensile (IDT) tests performed at two different test temperatures: −10 °C and 20 °C, respectively. According to the fracture work density values, glass fibers significantly improve the low-temperature cracking performance of asphalt mixtures. Furthermore, it was found that the low-temperature cracking resistance of the hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures containing fibers was similar to that of the mixtures prepared using the WMA additive at 15 °C lower mixing and compaction temperatures than the HMA mixtures. To conclude, the WMA additive improved the compactability of the steel- and glass-fiber-reinforced asphalt mixtures without compromising the low temperature cracking performance, despite the low mixing and compaction temperatures.

Characterization on the mesostructural distribution of asphalt mixtures via digital image processing and relation to macroscopic performances

The distribution characteristics of the mesostructure of asphalt mixtures have an important influence on the macroscopic performance of asphalt mixtures. In this study, by means of industrial computed tomography and voxel analysis, the distribution of voids and skeleton microstructure of asphalt mixture is characterized from multiple perspectives. The relationship between mesostructural characteristic parameters and macroscopic properties of asphalt mixtures was established by the indirect tensile test, uniaxial compression test, and digital image correlation test. The results show that the mesostructural distribution of the voids of different types of asphalt mixtures shows a certain degree of transverse isotropy. Air voids content and fractal dimension of voids are the mesostructural characteristic parameters that affect the cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures at low temperatures. The air voids content has a negative exponential relationship with the strength of asphalt mixture. When the void fractal dimension is 1.3, the splitting tensile strength of asphalt mixture reaches the maximum value. Skeleton structure is a mesostructure characteristic parameter that affects the high temperature stability of asphalt mixture. The lower voids in coarse aggregate skeletons and degree of anisotropy are positively correlated with the uniaxial compressive strength. After voids in coarse aggregate skeletons are lower than 35 %, the uniaxial compressive strength of asphalt mixture is significantly improved. The proposed skeleton evaluation index can effectively characterize the material composition differences of different types of asphalt mixtures. The strain cloud diagram of the digital correlation experiment shows the place where the void distribution first reached the maximum strain of about 0.003 during loading, and the high strain area corresponds to the void centroid distribution. The air voids centroid distribution is the mesostructural characteristic parameter of the indirect tensile strain distribution.

Effect of Curing Condition on the Strength Evolution of Polyether Polyurethane Concrete

Polyether polyurethane concrete (PPC) is a new type of cold-mixed and cold-paved material. In this study, the strength evaluation mechanism of PPC was systematically investigated through test methods at different scales. First, the strength evolution mechanism of the polyurethane binder itself was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). Subsequently, different significant influence factors including temperature, humidity, and catalyst dosage on the strength evolution of PPC were analyzed and quantified by indirect tensile test. Third, a systematic statistical analysis of these influencing factors was performed by statistical methods to quantify their contribution to the strength formation of PPC. The strength of PPC was closely related to the strength evolution of polyurethane binder, and the order of influence factors on strength evolution was temperature > humidity > catalyst dosage. Finally, considering these influence factors, a prediction model of PPC curing time was established. The predicted curing time was compared with the outdoor test results, and the results verified the validity and rationality of the model.

Effect of deicing agents on the performance of airport asphalt pavement

Deicing agents are widely used to remove ice and snow on airport pavement, ensuring air traffic operation and safety. However, excessive spraying may affect the performance of airport pavement. The effects of different chloride deicing agents on the performance of airport asphalt and mixture have been assessed by previous studies. The three deicing agents (NaCl, KHF-1A, and NW056) were selected. Conducting various tests to examine their influence on the performance of asphalt and asphalt mixture. The tests include the DSR test, BBR test, indirect tensile test, bending test of small beam, and freeze-thaw splitting test. The results indicate that the asphalt anti-rutting factor G*/sinδ varies by 25%–45%, the asphalt creep stiffness increases by 15%–50%, and the anti-fatigue factor (G* sinδ) increases by 10%–40% under the effect of the deicing agents. The splitting strength of the mixture decreases by 10%–40%, the bending stiffness modulus increases by 6%–20%, and the freeze-thaw splitting strength ratio does not change significantly under the effect of the deicing agents. NW056 deicing agent has minimal effect on the performance of airport pavement and has optimal performance. The replacement of traditional chloride deicing agents helps to prolong the service life of airport asphalt pavement.

Thermomechanical properties of 3D-printed sand moulds using inorganic binder

Additive Manufacturing of 3D-printed sand cores using the binder jetting process is well-established in prototype manufacturing. Due to the rising focus on sustainability and the fact that printed cores are shifting to serial production, a transition from organic to inorganic binder systems is taking place. To ensure a stable casting process and reduce the scrap rate accurate simulation tools are required. However, a study about the thermomechanical properties and the anisotropy of 3D-printed sand cores has not yet been conducted. In this work the thermomechanical properties of 3D-printed sand cores in three different printing orientations using inorganic binder are given. In contrast to homogeneous materials like metals, the simulation of sand cores requires new material models due to the dependency to hydrostatic pressure. The Drucker-Prager soil plasticity model is used, and the parameters needed for the Drucker-Prager-Cap model until 500°C are analysed using the three-point-bending test, the indirect tensile test and the uniaxial compression test. In addition to these specific parameters, also general parameters required for mechanical simulation like the Young's modulus, the Poisson's ratio, the density and the thermal expansion coefficient are given. In comparison to the reference binder system for shot cores using inorganic binder, the 3D-printed cores showed a higher mechanical strength. In the tensile region due to the higher binder content and in the compressive region due to the higher AFS number. Furthermore, the binder system for printed cores showed a lower thermostability.

Assessing the Fracturing Process of Rocks Based on Burst–Brittleness Ratio (BBR) Governed by Point Load Testing

AbstractBrittleness is an intrinsic mechanical property of rock materials that has attracted significant attention to be properly quantified as it plays an important role in characterization of brittle fracturing. Endeavors have led to the establishment of many Brittleness Indices (BIs) for various rock types and widespread engineering applications. Among them, assessing burst proneness as a serious challenge in underground mining has received considerable attention. Parallel to BIs' development, various Bursting Liability Indices (BLIs) have been proposed to specifically assess coal bursting phenomenon. Despite having different names, both BI and BLI in principle have aimed at evaluating the burst–brittleness level of different rocks for different applications. In this study, the principles of burst and brittleness were discussed followed by the development of a novel so-called burst–brittleness ratio (BBR) to assess the relative burst–brittleness of rock types irrespective of their applications. To do so, the proposed BBR was governed by point load testing (PLT) which has significant advantages over the other rock testing methods used in BI estimation such as direct or indirect tensile testing. To examine the suitability of the proposed ratio, three different rock types from various geological origins including coal, granite and sandstone were selected and tested under uniaxial compressive, indirect tensile Brazilian and point loadings. The high-speed imaging technique and Acoustic Emission (AE) were utilized to characterize the cracking process (e.g., failure under shear or tension) and to monitor the real-time failure behavior of samples under different loading conditions. The resulting data revealed that the severity of strength loss in coal samples was significantly higher than that observed in other rock types particularly under uniaxial compression endorsing the validity of the proposed BBR.

Monotonical mechanical behavior of thermo-pressure-activated geopolymeric composites in the indirect tensile test using digital image correlation

There is an increasing interest in alternatives to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) for plug and abandonment of oil wells, aiming to obtain more reliable and durable well barriers, with reduced CO2 footprint. Geopolymers can have lower permeability and higher chemical resistance to downhole fluids, compared to OPC-based systems. However, there are concerns about their mechanical behavior, in particular their brittle cracking in tension, which may lead to continuous flow paths for escape of fluids. Fibers can improve this behavior by arresting the growth of cracks, reducing their width, and distributing the strain over a larger area. This work aims to study the tensile behavior of a neat metakaolin-based geopolymer system formulated for well applications, before and after addition of 2%v./v. polypropylene fiber or 2%v./v. wollastonite. The indirect tensile test (ITS) was performed in 11.3 mm diameter cylindrical samples cured under high pressure to minimize macroscopic defects. We used digital image correlation (DIC) to monitor the samples at the millimeter scale, aiming to quantify the efficiency of fibers as crack arrestors. We demonstrated a procedure to obtain reliable and quantitative strain and stress fields for the ITS using DIC, enabling the investigation of local stress heterogeneity. First, a penalized spline-based smoothing scheme is used to compensate random errors and to regularize the strain field. Then, two different approaches are used to determine the average elastic properties and calculate the stress field. A three-dimensional finite element model was used to compare the theoretical strain distribution in the sample to the observable strains at the surface. The experimental results were closer to the simulation than to the analytical solution, which is more representative of the behavior inside the specimen. Hot spots of stress concentration were analyzed to obtain the monotonic stress-strain behavior of the material until failure, showing that local stresses were 33% larger that the macroscopic strength measured in the ITS. The neat geopolymer had higher stiffness and tensile strength, but the samples displayed surface delamination in compression, near the force application points. Wollastonite prevented this superficial phenomenon, but the samples had lower tensile strength. Polypropylene, on the other hand, was very effective in arresting crack opening, allowing significant post-peak deformation. These polypropylene-reinforced geopolymer systems are more suitable for downhole applications, since they can withstand higher strains before the formation of continuous cracks and subsequent loss of hydraulic isolation. The methodology proposed in this paper enabled us to observe and quantify the performance of the reinforcement.

Structural Characteristics and Microstructure Analysis of Soft Soil Stabilised with Fine Ground Tile Waste.

Using ceramic tile waste as a soil stabiliser in road construction is a potential solution to dispose of the waste material while providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional stabilising agents. The ceramic tile waste, when crushed and mixed with soil, helps to improve the strength and durability of the road base. However, the effectiveness of the ceramic tile waste as a soil stabiliser depends on the type and size of ceramic tiles used and the soil properties being stabilised. This study investigated the effect of ground tile waste on the plasticity, compatibility, and mechanical properties such as the unconfined compressive strength (UCS), indirect tensile test (IDT), flexural test (FS), and microstructural analysis. A range of soil mixtures was prepared by adding the different percentages of fine tile waste (TW): 5% to 40%. Including tile waste in the soil led to a decrease in its water-holding capacity, reducing the optimum moisture content required for optimal compaction. Meanwhile, the maximum dry density increased. The UCS, IDT, and FS improved when the optimum 15% of TW was used in the mixes. However, the strength decreased after 20% of the TW addition. This effect was particularly pronounced in the presence of excessive TW contents in soil samples without a pozzolanic reaction. Reusing tile waste as a soil stabiliser can significantly reduce the costs of purchasing new materials and helps to conserve natural resources and reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal.

The incurved Brazilian disc as an alternative to the standardized Brazilian disc test

A modified configuration of the standardized Brazilian disc is proposed here, namely the incurved Brazilian disc, aiming to address the main drawback of the traditional indirect tensile test introduced by Carneiro and Akazawa (broadly known as the Brazilian disc test), namely the onset of fracture from the disc-jaw contact region rather than from the center of the disc. In this context, the disc is circularly truncated in the vicinity of the disc-jaw contact area, leading, in fact, to a wide, and as it is seen predefined contact length. The wide extent of the contact arc ensures small stress concentrations, while its predefined length ensures independence of the outcomes of the tests from material and geometry. The incurved Brazilian disc is compressed between the flat loading platens with the aid of two semicircular indenters, which will completely fit into the cavities of the disc under load. The analytical solution of the described configuration is obtained using Muskhelishvili’s complex potentials method. Comparison of the results of the present analysis concerning the stress and displacement fields with the respective ones due to existing solutions for the traditional Brazilian disc as well as with those of the flattened Brazilian disc, reveals interesting aspects of the modified configuration proposed, enlightening some advantages, concerning mainly the intensity of the stress field in the disc-jaw contact area.

Different evolution of tensile and compressive strength in concrete affected by acid mine drainage

Although not many studies have analysed the effects of acid mine drainage (AMD) on the durability of concrete, it is clear that such an aggressive environment affects the different mechanical parameters of this material. AMD is an environmental problem that affects the five continents and is especially widespread in the south western part of the Iberian Peninsula, in an area known as the Iberian Pyrite Belt.In this work, the effect of AMD on tensile and compressive strength of concrete has been evaluated, analysing the evolution of these two fundamental parameters on this structural material. For this purpose, a series of concrete samples were subjected to a controlled AMD environment in the laboratory, using water with pH 2.8 collected from the Tharsis Mine (SW Spain). The concrete samples were prepared in accordance with the parameters required by various international standards.The samples were subjected to the aggressive environment by AMD for two periods of time (3 and 6 months), after which they were subjected to non-destructive testing and destructive testing until breaking the samples by means of compression and tensile (indirect tensile test). In addition, Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy studies were performed on samples before AMD influence and on samples affected by AMD for six months.The obtained results using the ultrasonic equipment showed a decrease in concrete quality, an increase in porosity and permeability, the reduction of modulus of elasticity that reaches 8.5% after six months, as well as the appearance of microcracks. The destructive the tests showed that tensile strength is much more affected than the compressive strength: the tensile strength went from 4.31 MPa to 3.27 MPa (24%) after six months, while the compressive strength went from 48.22 MPa to 43.83 MPa (9%) in the same period of time. This different evolution means that the formulas used in international standards that relating compressive strength to tensile strength need to be modified by means of a correction factor.

Indirect tensile test modelling for inhomogeneous rock samples using digital image processing

Indirect tensile test modelling for inhomogeneous rock samples using digital image processing

Mechanical characterization and durability of earth blocks

With the growing awareness of environmental issues, raw earth construction in its various forms is experiencing a renewed interest. In fact, earth is a natural material that limits energy consumption and plays an important role in terms of humidity and temperature regulation. The demand for bio-based building materials and the addition of plant aggregates on earth building bricks is also increasing. This study focuses on the characterization of three unfired commercialized earth adobe bricks with different percentage of plant aggregates. The characterization of the constituents of the different adobe bricks has been first realized by conducting wet sieving tests, sedimentation, Atterberg limit and density tests. The performances of adobe bricks were then investigated and compared in terms of mechanical properties and durability considering freezing-thawing cycles and dry abrasion. The compressive strength is an important property but presents significant variations due to several influencing factors like source, proportion of constituent materials, curing condition, workmanship, in addition to testing procedure. Several specimens have been tested to quantify the compressive strength variability. In addition, as no consensus on the test design and limited data exists on the influence of specimen’s geometry and correlation between testing procedures and mechanical properties, a campaign of unconfined compressive tests has been conducted where several parameters have been varied such as specimen orientation and use of mortar or not. The tensile strength has been also measured with the indirect tensile test method. The effect of freezing thawing cycles was evaluated by subjecting the bricks to unconfined compressive tests after 3, 6, 9 and 12 freezing-thawing cycles. The results show a significant effect of the testing procedure on the compressive strength values. In addition, a decrease in the mechanical properties has been observed for adobe bricks exposed to freezing-thawing cycles.