ABSTRACT

This paper studies the lateral strength of traditional (unstabilized) adobe walls subjected to lateral loading, either in-plane or out-of-plane, using the finite element method. The focus of the numerical parametric study is on adobe walls that have a moist region in their lower part immediately above the footing. The variables of the parametric study are the length, height, and water content of the moist region. The lateral strength of adobe walls can be affected by the moist region depending on its size and water content. Generally, the threshold of gravimetric water content of the moist region associated with a considerable decrease in lateral strength is 12% for I-shaped walls under in-plane lateral loading and 10% for cantilever walls under out-of-plane lateral loading. A short moist region that is at most one-third or one-fourth of the wall length for out-of-plane or in-plane loading, respectively, does not compromise significantly the wall lateral strength even at relatively high water content. Even though the results depend on the model geometry and characteristics, this information can be useful to those working in adobe repair and preservation because approaching or exceeding these limiting water contents might indicate an immediate need for shoring the walls.

摘要

本文使用有限元方法研究了传统（不稳定）土坯墙在平面内或平面外受到横向载荷的横向强度。数值参数研究的重点是土坯墙，土坯墙的下部紧邻基础之上有一个潮湿区域。参数研究的变量是潮湿区域的长度、高度和含水量。土坯墙的横向强度会受到潮湿区域的影响，具体取决于其大小和含水量。一般来说，与横向强度显着降低相关的潮湿区域的重量含水量阈值对于面内横向载荷下的 I 形墙为 12%，在面外横向载荷下对于悬臂墙为 10%。对于平面外或平面内加载，分别最多为壁长三分之一或四分之一的短潮湿区域即使在相对较高的含水量下也不会显着损害壁侧强度。尽管结果取决于模型的几何形状和特征，但这些信息对于从事土坯修复和保存工作的人员可能很有用，因为接近或超过这些限制水含量可能表明立即需要支撑墙壁。