Determining strength parameters of unreinforced masonry (URM) blocks used in heritage structures: Compressive strength, shear strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity

• Main Authors: Campado, Darlene Clarice, Castillo, Nitchell Andrei H., Odiamar, Mary Grace DC, Tongco, Marcelino T.S, Jr.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2017
• Subjects: Structural engineering > Philippines; Masonry > Philippines; Stonemasonry > Philippines; Civil Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/9086
• Institution: De La Salle University

Due to the lack of documentation regarding the mechanical properties of masonry units prevalent in URM structures in the Philippines, the study aims to fill the gap of knowledge using available studies, predominant masonry units used in the Philippines, and through experimental analysis. The masonry units observed in the study are the following: adobe (volcanic tuff blocks), coralline limestone, and sandstone. These samples are acquired from selected heritage structures to assess their capacity to withstand heavy loading the sandstone is obtained from a quarry for additional comparative references. The mechanical properties-- compressive strength, shear strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, of each sample are obtained and analyzed. The use of dial gauges, along with video recording devices, are also utilized to obtain strain values as accurate as possible. The implications of the range of values obtained are also discussed, especially considering how these would fare fo a heritage structure. The failure behavior and patterns during the testing are also observed, and are found out to be due to the bitterness of the material. Furthermore, the stress-strain diagram for each sample is obtained.