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The response of masonry joints to dynamic tensile loading

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Abstract

This paper presents results from laboratory tests on masonry joints subject to dynamic tensile loading. The tests were carried out using␣specially designed Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar apparatus, the development of which is also␣briefly described in the paper. It was found experimentally that there was a significant apparent dynamic enhancement in the tensile strength when specimens were loaded at strain rates of approximately 1 s−1. (Dynamic Increase Factor = 3.1). Finite element modelling has been used to support a conjecture that this effect may␣at least partly be a result of the inherent spatial variability of the brick–mortar bond strength, rather than being a genuine material characteristic per se.

Resumé

Cet article présente les résultats de tests en laboratoire de joints de maçonnerie soumis à des charges dynamiques en traction. Les tests ont été réalisés en utilisant des équipements “Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar” qui ont été spécifiquement conçus pour ces tests et dont la mise au point est aussi brièvement décrite dans cet article.

Les résultats expérimentaux ont montré qu’il y avait une amélioration dynamique de la résistance à la traction quand les échantillons étaient soumis à des tensions de l’ordre de 1 par seconde. (Facteur d’Accroissement Dynamique = 3.1). Une modélisation utilisant les éléments finis a été utilisée pour confirmer l’hypothèse que ce phénomène est en partie du à la variabilité spatiale propre de la liaison brique-mortier, plutôt qu’à une véritable caractéristique du matériau lui-même.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the technical staff at the University of Sheffield. Also acknowledged is the support of EPSRC, under grant references GR/M43128, GR/M43135 and GR/M43142.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD, UK

    S. Burnett, M. Gilbert & A. Tyas

  2. School of Civil and Chemical Engineering, RMIT, City Campus, 2476V, Melbourne, 3001, Australia

    T. Molyneaux

  3. School of Science & Technology, University of Teesside, Borough Road, Middlesborough, TS1 3BA, UK

    B. Hobbs

  4. Arup, 12th Floor, The plaza, 100 Old Hall street, Liverpool,, L3 9QJ, UK

    G. Beattie

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  1. S. Burnett
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  2. M. Gilbert
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  3. T. Molyneaux
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  4. A. Tyas
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  5. B. Hobbs
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  6. G. Beattie
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Correspondence to M. Gilbert.

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Burnett, S., Gilbert, M., Molyneaux, T. et al. The response of masonry joints to dynamic tensile loading. Mater Struct 40, 517–527 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-006-9160-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-006-9160-6

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