Author
STEPHEN POLLARD and BRIAN HOBBS University of Teesside

Abstract
This paper describes the first results of tests on panels of full size bricks to compare with previous work on the compressive strengths and failure mechanisms of panels of model bricks loaded at various angles to the bed joint. The wall panels were made front solid clay engineering bricks and designation (i) mortar. The ultimate failure load was recorded and the first cracking load determined. Stress/strain curves were produced for each test panel angle. Expressions were derived for the first cracking load as a function of the bed joint angle. It is proposed that this type of masonry failure criterion could form the basis of a method to predict the failure loads of brickwork elements subjected to precompression and in-plane shear, such as the webs of post-tensioned walls with geometric cross sections.