Laboratory Test Report on Flexural Tensile

Strength of Habitech Interlocking Bricks

Laboratory Test Report
This document presents the results of flexural tensile strength test of soil-cement
interlocking bricks based on the test performed last 20 August 2014.

15 September 2014
Report for:

Prashak Techno Enterprises

India

Laboratory Test Report on Flexural Tensile

Strength of Habitech Interlocking Bricks

Laboratory Test Report

This document presents the results of flexural tensile strength test of soil-cement
interlocking bricks based on the test performed last 20 August 2014.

15 September 2014

Report for:

Prashak Techno Enterprises

India

Laboratory Test Report

Flexural Tensile Strength of the Soil-Cement Interlocking Bricks

Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 4

1.1 Objective of Laboratory Test ................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 Purpose and Discussion ...................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.1 Purpose ..........................................................................................................................................4
1.2.2 Test for Tensile Strength ................................................................................................................4
1.2.3 Significance of the Tensile Strength ...............................................................................................4
1.2.4 Test Specimens .............................................................................................................................4
Chapter 2. Apparatus and Materials ........................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Test Procedure .................................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 3. Results, Observations, and Conclusion .................................................................................... 6
3.1 Observations........................................................................................................................................ 6
3.2 Test Results and Calculations ............................................................................................................. 7
3.3 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 7

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Laboratory Test Report

Flexural Tensile Strength of the Soil-Cement Interlocking Bricks

Chapter 1.

Introduction

Objective of Laboratory Test

1.1

To determine the bending tensile strength of brick units by a flexural test.

1.2

Purpose and Discussion

1.2.1

Purpose
The purpose of this test was to determine the tensile strength of interlocking brick unit.
Knowledge of which is necessary in some of the designs where tension in brick plays an
important part such as pavement, cracking due to shrinkage and tension in water retaining
structures, etc.

1.2.2

Test for Tensile Strength

Masonry is poor in tensile strength. Measurement of its strength in tension is therefore difficult,
therefore, methods have been devised to measure the tensile strength of masonry brick
indirectly. There are a) Flexural tensile strength test, b) Splitting strength test. Flexural tensile
strength test was adopted to determine the tensile strength of the interlocking brick.

1.2.3

Significance of the Tensile Strength

Knowledge of tensile strength is necessary in some of the designs where tension in brick plays
an important part such as pavement, cracking due to shrinkage and tension in water retaining
structures and so forth.

1.2.4

Test Specimens
Three test specimens, shown in figure-1, each of size 300x150x100 mm are prepared and cured
for 21 days.

Figure 1-1: Specimen of the compressed earth block

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Laboratory Test Report

Flexural Tensile Strength of the Soil-Cement Interlocking Bricks

Chapter 2.

Apparatus and Materials

The experimental setup for the flexural tensile strength test is shown in Figure 2-1. The following
machines and apparatus were used for flexural testing of the interlocking brick.

Universal Testing Machine (UTM) - A 200 ton capacity UTM was used to provide loading
for the test.

Steel Rollers - Four steel rollers with 20 mm diameter were used to provide to point loads
on top and to support the brick from bottom.

Steel Beam - A small steel beam was used to distribute equal loadings to the two top
rollers.

Steel beam

Upper Roller
Test specimen

Lower roller
support

Figure 2-1: Test setup in UTM for Flexural Tensile Strength

2.1

Test Procedure
Load was applied gradually and without shock at the rate of 50 N/sec. The maximum load (P)
and the position of the failure were recorded. The height and width of the cross section at the
location of fracture were also recorded.

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Laboratory Test Report

Flexural Tensile Strength of the Soil-Cement Interlocking Bricks

Chapter 3.
3.1

Results, Observations, and Conclusion

Observations
First tensile crack was visible from bottom of the brick at the average loading of 4500 N. The
crack grew wider at faster rate ultimately fracturing at the average loading of 5000 N. The brick
then possessed brittle failure.
As seen in the Figure 3-2, the brick fractured inside one third of the span length.

First appearance
of tensile crack

Figure 3-1: Picture showing the tension crack

Figure 3-2: Picture showing the failure of the brick at maximum loading.

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Laboratory Test Report

Flexural Tensile Strength of the Soil-Cement Interlocking Bricks

3.2

Test Results and Calculations

Table 3-1 shows the summary of the test results on all three test specimens.
The maximum load for each specimen was recorded and the flexural tensile strength was
calculated as follows.

R tf =

FL
bh2

Where:
F = Maximum Load (N)
L= Unsupported Length (mm)
b= Total Width of Failure Surface (mm)
h= Height of Failure Surface (mm)
Rtf= Flexural tensile strength (N/mm2)

Table 3-1: Summary of the test results

3.3

Specimen
No.

Effective
Width (mm)

Effective
Height
(mm)

Maximum
Load (N)

Flexural Tensile
Strength
(MPa)

Failure Surface
Location

124.2

99.2

5104.41

1.12

Middle Third

124.9

99.8

5307.28

1.15

Middle Third

124.1

99.6

4698.67

1.03

Middle Third

Average

124.4

99.5

5036.78

1.10

Conclusion
The average flexural tensile strength of the interlocking brick was calculated to be 1.1 MPa.

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