Identification of the Parameters of Menétrey -Willam Failure Surface of Calcium Silicate Units

The identification of parameters of Menétrey-Willamsurface made of concrete, masonry or autoclaved aerated concrete is not complicated. It is much more difficult to identify failure parameters of masonry units with cavities. This paper describes the concept of identifying the parameters of Menétrey-Willam failure surface (M-W-3) with reference to masonry units with vertical cavities. The M-W-3 surface is defined by uniaxial compressive strength f_c, uniaxial tensile strength f_t and eccentricity of elliptical function e. A test stand was built to identify surface parameters. It was used to test behaviour of masonry units under triaxial stress and conduct tests on whole masonry units in the uniaxial state. Results from tests on tens of silicate masonry units are presented in the Haigh-Westergaard (H-W) space. Statistical analyses were used to identify the shape of surface meridian, and then to determine eccentricity of the elliptical function. (paper)