Preliminary communication

Testing of physical and mechanical properties of bricks and mortar in historic structures

Mirjana Bošnjak-Klečina ; Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Građevinski fakultet Osijek, Drinska 16a, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Silva Lozančić ; Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Građevinski fakultet Osijek, Drinska 16a, 31000 Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

The requirement to determine the bearing capacity of older brick buildings is being raised more and more frequently. The problem is in defining of inbuilt materials properties. Familiarity with brick material used in their construction is insufficient for the approach to more accurate structural analysis. The biggest unknown is represented by those physical and mechanical properties of brick structures relevant for their bearing capacity against horizontal displacement and bending the compressive strength of mortar, adhesion strength of mortar against horizontal displacement and bending, the tensile strength of wall. These properties, in the function of brick porousness, are its initial capillary absorption and strength. The physical and mechanical properties of bricks from old sacral buildings were tested. At the same time, for the comparison purpose, nowadays materials have been tested too. The possibility and reliability of one method for the determination of the compressive strength of mortar "in situ" have been investigated. The method was proposed 30 years ago in Czechoslovakia, but it remained unknown to wider expert audience. The method is simple, quick and practical. It requires the preparation of very simple equipment for testing and calibration of a greater number of simple laboratory samples and it might be applicable in construction site conditions afterwards.

Keywords

brick; compressive strength "in situ"; mortar

Hrčak ID:

55486

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/55486

Publication date:

30.6.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 4.620 *