Strain evolution of brick masonry under cyclic compressive loading

Abstract

Long-term fatigue tests in compression were performed on low-strength brick masonry prisms under laboratory conditions at different maximum stress levels. The maximum and minimum total longitudinal deformations with the loading cycles were recorded. The experimental results revealed that fatigue life is divided into three distinct stages. The recordings were further analysed to develop an analytical expression for the prediction of the development of strain during the fatigue life of masonry. A set of three mathematical equations were proposed to predict the three characteristic stages of fatigue. The developed expressions, related the normalised total longitudinal strain with the normalised maximum applied stress. The proposed model provides good agreement with the mean available data at any maximum stress level and could be used to to evaluate the remaining service life, plan maintenance works minimising life-cycle costs and prevent premature failures Continuity of the curves at the intersection points in terms of slope and numerical values ensures accuracy of the method and results to a differentiable function.