Advancing the structural use of earth-based bricks: Assessing the reliability of existing testing procedures

Standards and codes can play a key role in the social acceptability of earthen masonry. This notwithstanding, the existing regulatory framework for earth-based masonry construction is limited to derivatives of performance standards and codes that were developed for concrete masonry units. The discussion in this paper presented work directed at contributing the development of a reliable resting regime for interlocking bricks. The different testing regimes investigated include crushing full-sized blocks (horizontally), 2-inch and 1.18-inch cubes and units with filled recesses testing in compliance with the provisions of ASTM C140-12, Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units. The findings have revealed that the numbers obtained for compressive strength change depending on the testing regime. In addition, the recorded values for compressive strengths were much higher when the samples were tested based on the provisions of ASTM C140-12, Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units and Related Units. As this procedure accounts for the unit geometric properties of the interlocking block, the results suggest that it is a more reliable testing regime.