ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to assess the feasibility to develop a first reliable database of materials parameters for Earth Block Masonry (EBM). The database is crucial when defining the materials safety factors. The use of earthen materials with structural properties has increased. This increase involved in particular the EBM. For other traditional materials as stone and brick masonry the knowledge in terms of their strength and failure mechanisms has built up. On the other side the EBM is perhaps the least understood in terms of its strength and deformation properties. Two types of earth block and two types of earth mortar were used for uniaxial compression tests. The materials were sourced from local manufacturers of prefabricated earthen building products. Earth mortar was provided as pre-mixed dry mortar and was mixed with water for sample preparation according to DIN 18946.
