Cyclic Behavior of Brick Masonry under Biaxial Compression

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the behavior of brick masonry under cyclic biaxial compressive loading is presented. The experimental investigation involved biaxial tests on 45 half‐scale brick masonry specimens. Three types of tests were conducted to establish the envelope stress‐strain curve, the common point curve, and the stability point curve. A general empirical equation is proposed for these curves that compares well with the experimental data. A failure criterion expressed in terms of principal stress invariants is suggested. The use of the stability point curve as an aid in defining the permissible stress level for brick masonry under cyclic biaxial compressive loading and the importance of relating the stability point to the level of residual strain in the material is discussed.