Effect of reinforcement the mortar on adobe walls performance

Present study investigates an experimental performance of mud brick wall under static lateral load. The size of bricks was about 22×22×7 cm3 (face × bed × end). For wall specimens, two types mortar was used: a) non-reinforced mortar, b) reinforcement mortar. For reinforcement mortar many types such as: metal mesh (mesh size: 0.5 and 0.75 inches), polymeric mesh (mesh size: 10 and 25 mm) and palm fiber considered was used. First mechanical properties of each types of mortar have been determined. Then the 12 wall with dimensions of 120 × 120 × 22 cm3 are made with six different kinds of mortar. Walls are loaded under static lateral load in order to evaluate their cracks pattern, load capacities, deformability and energy absorption characteristics. Cracks in the specimens occurred between the first and the second row that caused the failure. The mortar was vulnerable part of conventional walls (unreinforced mortar). Ultimate strength of walls with mortar reinforced by polymer mesh (mesh size was 25 × 25 mm) increased the load and energy capacity to 83.04% and 158% respectively. The palm fibers increased the load carrying capacity about 82.14% and energy absorption capacity about 247%. Test result was shown that using palm fiber and polymer mesh with diameter of 25 mm in mortar can increase adobe wall performance.