SCEBs - University of Colorado Boulder

The large blocks produced were kept undisturbed in a controlled environment
during the curing phase. The blocks were observed 2-3 times per week during this time.
No detrimental effects due to shrinking/swelling, such as cracking, were observed. The
following photos displayed in Figures 4.15 & 4.16 were taken of the blocks made from
Soil #11 after production.
Figure 4.15: UMU Large Blocks
4.2.2.4. UCS and MOR Testing
Figure 4.16: UMU Large Blocks
The large blocks were tested after a 28-day minimum curing period. A 110 kip
capacity MTS load frame was used to perform the necessary compression and three-point
bending tests. The test set-up used for each test is displayed in Section 3.9 (Figures 3.13
& 3.14). The load applied at the block‟s yield point was recorded as the force at failure.
The force and displacement data recorded by the MTS machine were used to develop
stress-strain curves (see Figure 4.17 as an example). Given the fundamental assumptions
of traditional mechanical properties of materials theory (i.e. the sampled material is a
homogenous, isotropic, linearly elastic material), the slope of the linear portion of each
stress-strain curve represents the block‟s Young‟s Modulus – E (Modulus of Elasticity).
The Young‟s Modulus is often used in design calculations to estimate a wall unit‟s
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