The earth in the architecture of the historical centre of Lamezia Terme (Italy): Characterization for restoration

Influence of the testing procedures in the mechanical characterization of adobe bricks

“…The modulus of elasticity values obtained for adobe in the present study are much higher than the values obtained by other authors [18][19][20]25] and in the research work previously carried out at University of Aveiro [7], and are closer to the lower typical values of modulus of elasticity for concrete -which normally vary between 17 and 31 GPa [26] -and the typical values of modulus of elasticity for ceramic clay bricks -which usually range from 5 to 30 GPa [26]. This may be partially due to the fact that adobes traditionally used in Aveiro included the addition of a significant fraction of lime binder, which contributes to an increased stiffness of the material, while adobes in other parts of the world, are normally made without using a binder.…”

“…Many authors have conducted studies for the mechanical characterization of adobes taken from existing constructions in different parts of the World (e.g., [15][16][17][18]), and also of adobes usually produced for the study of the effectiveness of different possible compositions (e.g., [18][19][20]). Generally, compression tests are conducted on adobe bricks or adobe cubic specimens (e.g., [15][16][17][18][19][20]), without reference to the influence of confinement effect on the obtained results, and normally tensile strength of adobe is evaluated by the conduction of flexural tests (e.g., [15,16]).…”

“…Generally, compression tests are conducted on adobe bricks or adobe cubic specimens (e.g., [15][16][17][18][19][20]), without reference to the influence of confinement effect on the obtained results, and normally tensile strength of adobe is evaluated by the conduction of flexural tests (e.g., [15,16]). In general, however, the existing knowledge concerning the influence of the geometry of specimens and of testing procedures on the mechanical characterization of earth specimens is very limited.…”

Application of different protocols and age-models in OSL dating of earthen mortars

“…Earthen architecture is widespread mainly in rural areas, with buildings made of rammed earth or mud bricks and mortars (Aubert et al, 2015;Fratini et al, 2011). Sometimes, earthen mortars are also used to bind high quality fired bricks in churches, private buildings and civic architecture.…”

Experimental study of admixture on soil’s physical and mechanical characteristics

“…Based on previous research achievements and experiment results it was analyzed for the failure process and force characteristics of composite-wall structure with mud blocks under vertical and horizontal loads [5]. The earth physical characteristics in the architecture of the historical centre of Lamezia Terme was studied [6].The wall's bearing capacity and stability were studied for earth building [7]. A piece of wall was designed to study earth building's failure process and skeleton curve under vertical loads and low-cycle horizontal loads [8].The laboratory work was carried out to study the effect of changing climatic conditions on the unconfined compressive strength of rammed earth [9].…”