Flexural strength of compressed stabilized earth masonry materials

The flexural strength of masonry, which can be defined both parallel and perpendicular to bed joints, is an important strength parameter especially in lightly loaded walls. Due to scarcity of conventional masonry materials and energy related issues associated with them, alternative masonry materials are promoted. Compressed stabilized earth (CSE) masonry is one such material with adequate compressive strength for single and two storey load bearing construction. Flexural strength of such alternative materials is important to evaluate the performance when subjected to lateral loads due to wind, floods or any other load that can cause out-of-plane bending in a wall. This paper covers the findings of a detailed research carried out on flexural strength of alternative masonry materials such as compressed stabilized earth (CSE) bricks and blocks and stabilized rammed earth. The stabilization agent used to manufacture compressed stabilized earth was cement. The results were compared with the values obtained for conventional masonry to highlight the suitability of compressed stabilized earth masonry for wider application with confidence. The results indicate that the flexural strength of compressed stabilized earth masonry walls can be in the range of 0.25 N/mm2 or above which can be comparable with conventional masonry such as burnt clay brickwork.