ABSTRACT
One hundred fifty indirect tension tests were performed, using adobe “sandwiches” made by joining two adobe blocks with a layer of mortar made of mud sifted to remove particles larger than 2 mm. Batches of three similar sandwiches were tested. Each batch was made from mortars of 10 mixes of mud with and without additives, and of 5 nominal thicknesses (2 to 10 mm). Mortars were studied of only soil; soil stabilized with cement in 5%, 7% and 10% ratios, soil stabilized with lime (5%, 7% and 10%) and soil stabilized with gypsum (5%, 10% and 20%). Finally, a series of diagonal compression tests were conducted on small adobe masonry wall specimens. Fifteen specimens were cracked under diagonal compression, repaired
by injecting grouts of only soil and soil stabilized with cement, lime or gypsum, and tested again in order to measure the effectiveness of the repair procedure.
