Characterization of Adobe Blocks: Point-Load Assessment as a Complementary Study of Damaged Buildings and Samples

Adobe masonry is one of the oldest construction systems still in use today, Mexico has an enormous cultural heritage with traditional adobe houses being very representative rural communities and their culture. The 2017 Puebla Earthquake on September 19th struck country causing loss, destruction, damage historic buildings several Mexican states, earthen dwellings most vulnerable structures to these events. fast abandonment local materials techniques entails further research regarding characterization systems, therefore, reconstruction efforts first require recovery technique. After seismic events, samples remaining Jojutla de Juarez were collected. This population was affected all country, and, because major losses suffered, study conducted determine material properties dwellings’ shards natural quarry clays region. included destructive non-destructive tests, mineralogical granulometry analyses, composition buildings, as well aggregates. As a novelty, compressive strength pieces tested by two methods: compression test point-load test, order obtain indicative values correlation equations between both tests. From formal analysis laboratory, it observed that adobes from presented different compositions which combined building malpractices alterations caused unpredictable behavior during earthquake. conduction tests situ, part complete methodology, could be alternative mechanical patrimonial or damaged before its disappearance.