Procedures and Fixtures for Removing, Capping, Handling, and Testing Masonry Prisms and Flexural Bond Specimens
SourceMartin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (MMES), is currently assessing the safety of the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. Many of the facilities at this plant are constructed using unreinforced hollow clay tile walls (HCTWs). In the spring of 1990 a testing program that includes in situ, laboratory, and shake table tests, and nondestructive examinations was initiated.
This paper presents the techniques used for removing, capping, and handling masonry prism specimens for testing normal and parallel to the bed joints. It also presents similar techniques used for removing, handling, and testing flexural bond masonry specimens. How these techniques can be used to obtain consistent test results and why they are required to meet relevant ASTM standards is described. These fixtures can also be used for fabrication of laboratory test specimens.