Title: Investigation of brick alignment effect on compressive strength

Authors: Usman Akmal; Nauman Khurram; Muhammad Ammar; Zahid A. Siddiqi; Tauqir Ahmed

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, 54890, Pakistan ' Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, 54890, Pakistan ' Communication and Works Department, Secretariat, Old Anarkali, Lahore, Pakistan ' Department of Civil Engineering, University of Lahore, Pakistan ' Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NUCES-FAST), Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract: Bricks are widely used in construction due to its availability and abundance. As per prevailing standards, compressive strength of brick is determined by placing it in horizontal (bed-wise) orientation. Due to high end-platen effect, the brick strength is overestimated. In this case, peak load corresponding to first visible appearance of crack is considered as failure load. In order to overcome this, an extensive testing is carried out to explore the effect of brick alignment on its compressive strength. Further, a relationship is also proposed between the compressive strength of bricks tested in vertical direction and tested in horizontal direction. It is also proposed to test the brick in vertical direction for more realistic compressive strength value. Moreover, a correction factor of 1.3 is proposed to classify the bricks on the base of their strength obtained in vertical direction.

Keywords: end platen effect; brick masonry; compressive strength; brick alignment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2021.116227

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2021 Vol.6 No.3, pp.329 - 345

Received: 01 Sep 2020
Accepted: 31 Oct 2020
Published online: 13 Jul 2021 *

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