The failure mechanism of fired clay pavers or tiles, which are rigidly adhered by mortar to the concrete surface aroundthe perimeter of swimming pools, was studied.The stress regimes established within the materials and at the interfaces under volumetric changes due to thermal, moisture, growth of fired clay and concrete shrinkage are shown.The significance of both the short term and time-dependent behaviour of the fired clay, mortar and concrete is illustrated.It is shown that high localised shear stresses can develop at boundaries such as edges, corners and joints. These stresses are shown to be largely independent of the length of coping or size of the paved area.Several conclusions on good practice are drawn.It is shown that introduction of control joints which create boundaries can be conducive to failure, thus defeating the purpose of their installation.Abstract only.
Primary author(s): Dux P; Mullins P
Queensland,University; Mullins Consulting
Source: 12th Int.Brick/Block Masonry Conf. Proc. Vol.2
