Mechanical Characterization of Unfired Earth via Numerical Assessment of the Experimental Data

The current work presents the first results on the determination of reliable numerical models of earthen blocks under different loading conditions. Uniaxial compression and 3-points bending tests were performed. Experimental behavior was modelled with a nonlinear model able to describe the cracking behavior. The simplified approach based on macro-modelling shows a satisfactory accuracy and low computational costs. The numerical results are in good agreement with the post-elastic behavior observed in the experimental campaign.