Investigation into the shear behaviour of rammed earth using shear box tests

Corbin, A. C.; Augarde, C. E.

Investigation into the shear behaviour of rammed earth using shear box tests

Corbin, A. C.; Augarde, C. E.

Authors

A. C. Corbin

Professor Charles Augarde charles.augarde@durham.ac.uk
Head Of Department

Contributors

S. Amziane
Editor

M. Sonebi
Editor

Abstract

Scientific investigations into the structural properties of rammed earth (RE) are gaining momentum and a number of parameters (e.g. suction, particle size distribution and water content), influential on material strength and other properties, have been identified and investigated. Cement stabilisation is undergoing continued investigation, while fibrous stabilisation, also known as fibre reinforcement, is beginning to gain attention. Recent experiments have shown that the addition of fibres such as straw or wool to RE or other earthen materials can improve its flexural strength. Less attention, however, has been paid to the fracture behaviour of RE, and to its shearing behaviour. This paper presents a preliminary investigation into the shearing behaviour of stabilised and unstabilised RE reinforced with waste natural fibres. The Direct Shear Test (DST) is used to obtain peak shear stresses and displacements, from which strength parameters (φ’) and cohesion (c’) are obtained. This paper also presents some scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of these materials. The results show that wool fibres decrease the density and peak shear strength of RE. The effect of water, wool and cement content on φ’ and c’ are also discussed.

Citation

Corbin, A. C., & Augarde, C. E. (2015). Investigation into the shear behaviour of rammed earth using shear box tests. In S. Amziane, & M. Sonebi (Eds.), Proceedings of the First International Conference on Bio-based Building Materials (93-98)

Conference Name	First International Conference on Bio-based Building Materials
Conference Location	Clermont-Ferrand, France
Start Date	Jun 22, 2015
End Date	Jun 24, 2015
Publication Date	Jun 1, 2015
Deposit Date	Oct 9, 2015
Publicly Available Date	Oct 23, 2015
Pages	93-98
Series Title	Proceedings of the First International Conference on Bio-based Building Materials
Book Title	Proceedings of the First International Conference on Bio-based Building Materials.
Keywords	Rammed earth, Shear behaviour, Direct shear test, Scanning electron microscope, SEM.
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1152318
Publisher URL	http://www.rilem.org/gene/main.php?base=500218
Additional Information	22nd-24th June 2015, Clermont-Ferrand, France