,íl*

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^i-^

VAULTED BRICK GON9WUCTJ0N (U GUADALAJARA

ARCHITECTURE AT RICE UNIVERSITY

NUMBER 18

ARCHITECTURE AT RICE UNIVERSITY is a series of reports on

thoughts and investigations from the School of Architecture of
the University. The series is published in the belief that archi-
tectural education can best be advanced when teachers, practi-
tioners, students, and laymen share what they are thinking and
doing.

HOUSTON, TEXAS
AUGUST, 1966
VAULTED BRICK CONSTRUCTION IN GUADALAJARA

I. FOREWORD 3

BY CAREY CRONEIS

II. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION 11

BY NAT W. KRAHL

III. DESIGN EVOLUTION 47

BY HARRY S. RANSOM
 Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2011 with funding from
LYRASIS IVIembers and Sloan Foundation

http://www.archive.org/details/vaultedbrickcons18krah
 I. FOREWORD

BY CAREY CRONEIS
CHANCELLOR, RICE UNIVERSITY

Introducción
por
Carey Croneis

* I I
Desde mediados de 1963 la Universidad de Rice ha tenido el Since mid-1963 Rice University has had the honor and pleasure
placer y honor de formar parte de un grupo de universidades of being one of a group of American universities which,
Norteamericanas quienes, a través de sus representantes, through their representatives, have banded together as a
se han asociado con el objeto de cooperar con el desa- consortium whose purpose it is to assist in the academic and
rrollo académico y físico de la Universidad Autónoma de physical development of the Universidad Autónoma de
Guadalajara. Guadalajara.

Profesores y funcionarios administrativos de varias univer- Professors and administrative officers of a number of major
—
sidades importantes Arizona, California, Colorado, Colorado — Arizona, California, Colorado, Colorado
universities State,
State, Dallas,Denver, Kansas, New Mexico, Rice, Southern Dallas, Denver, Kansas, New Mexico, Southern California,
Rice,
California, Texas, y —
Tulane se reunieron desde el 28 de junio Texas, and Tulane — met Guadalajara, Mexico, on 28 June to
in

al 1°. de julio de 1963 en Guadalajara, México. A ellos se les July 1, 1963. They were joined by a group of special guests
unió un grupo especial de invitados que incluían al Lie. Luis including Lie. Luis M. Farias, the Director General of the Mexi-
M. Farias, el Director General de la Oficina de Información can Government Office of Information, Dr. Saxton Bradford,
del Gobierno Mexicano, el Doctor Saxton Bradford, quien who represented His Excellency, Thomas C. Mann, then Am-
representaba a Su Excelencia, Thomas C. Mann, Embajador de bassador of the United States to Mexico, Mr. John Nagel, the
los Estados Unidos en esa época en México, el Sr. John Nagel, representative of the Ford Foundation for Mexico and Central
representante de la Fundación Ford para México y América America, Mr. Thomas Linthicum, the Consul General of the
Central, el Sr. Thomas Linthicum, Cónsul General de los United States for Guadalajara, Ing. Salvador Ochoa Montes de
Estados Unidos en Guadalajara, el Ing. Salvador Ochoa Montes Oca, president of the Patrons of the University of Guadalajara,
de Oca, Presidente de la Junta de Directores de la Universidad representatives of the Bacardi and Nestle companies of Mexico,
de Guadalajara, representantes de las compañías Bacardi y together with a group of distinguished professors and adminis-
Nestle de México, junto a un grupo de distinguidos profesores trators from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, includ-

y administradores de la Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, ing the Rector, Dr. Luis Garibay G., the Vice-Rector, Lie.
incluyendo al Rector, Dr. Luis Garibay G., el Vice-Rector, Lie. Antonio Leano A. de Castillo, the Secretary-General, Lie. Carlos
Antonio Leano A, de Castillo, el Secretario General, Lie. Carlos Perez Vizcaino, and the Provost, Dr. Angel Morales Castro, as
Pérez Vizcaíno, y el Proboste, Dr. Ángel Morales Castro,
como asimismo el Dr. Osear F. Wiegand de la Universidad de well as Dr. Osear F. Wiegand of the University of Texas, the

Texas, coordinador de los planes de desarrollo para la UAG. coordinator of the development plans for the UAG. All of

Estos señores han sido muy cordiales y una gran ayuda a los these gentlemen have been most cordial and helpful to mem-
miembros del cuerpo docente de la Universidad de Rice, bers of the Rice University faculty who, in various ways, have
quienes, de varias maneras, han participado en este programa taken part in the cooperative program.
cooperativo. During the course of the 1963 initial conference, the objec-
Durante el curso de la conferencia inicial del año 1963, se tives of the envisaged cooperative program were spelled out,
plantearon los objetivos del programa cooperativo, fueron private initiative and support possibilities vis-a-vis orthodox
consideradas las posibilidades de ayuda y de iniciativa privada development in Mexico were considered, and agree-
university
vis-a-vis a un desarrollo tradicional de las universidades en ments were reached with reference to the various areas of
México, y se llegaron a acuerdos con respecto a las distintas collaboration to be established with each of the American
áreas de colaboración por establecerse con cada una de las universities represented. At the close of the sessions, a resolu-
universidades Americanas representadas. Ai término de las tion directed to the Ford Foundation and to the Universidad
sesiones se planteó a la asamblea una resolución dirigida a la Autónoma de Guadalajara was put before the assembly, the
Fundación Ford y a la UAG, cuyo borrador original fué original draft of the proposal having been prepared by the
preparado por el autor. present writer. This resolution was adopted, and it has formed

Esta resolución fué adoptada, y ha formado la base principal a principal basis for the various cooperative arrangements

para los diversos propósitos cooperativos que han sido puestos which subsequently have been put into effect with a gratify-
en marcha con excelentes resultados. Como consecuencia de ¡ngly high degree of success. As a consequence, development,

ello, fondos para funcionamiento y construcción han sido operating and construction funds have been forthcoming from
recibidos de varias instituciones, incluyendo a la Fundación
various agencies, including the Ford Foundation, the US-AID
Ford, al programa US-AID y al Departamento de Estado de los program, and the U. S. Department of State.
Estados Unidos.
En la adjudicación de las áreas académicas de la UAC a las In the apportioning of areas of academic concern to the
distintas universidades Norteamericanas, Ingeniería y Arquitec- various U. S. universities of the UAC consortium, engineering
tura fueron las disciplinas asignadas a la Universidad de Rice, and architecture were disciplines assigned to Rice University,
y además, Rice le fué entregada la responsabilidad de
a and, in addition. Rice was given the responsibility for develop-
desarrollar plano regulador del nuevo campus de la UAC.
el ing the master plan of the new Autónoma campus. At the
Durante la inicial, William Caudill, Director de la
conferencia time of the original conference, William Caudill, Director of
Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Rice, y el autor the Rice School of Architecture, and the writer spent some
consideraron junto a los funcionarios de la UAG posibilidades time with the officials of the UAC in considering potential
potenciales de sitios para el nuevo campus de la Universidad, sites for a new campus for the University, as compared with

comparado esto con las posibilidades prácticas de desarrollar the practicality of developing a major institution on the present
una institución de tal envergadura en el terreno actual, en el University campus which time was already occupied
at that
cual en esa época ya habían varios edificios nuevos. En última by several new was reached
buildings. Ultimately, a decision
Instancia, se llegó a la decisión de seguir adelante con el to go ahead with the development of the present site of
desarrollo del sitio actual de la UAC. the UAC.
Cuando deseados fondos necesarios para situar el proyecto
los When the hoped-for funds necessary to put the entire UAC
de la UAC en su primera etapa de planeamiento llegaron, le project into its detailed planning stage became available, it

fué posible a la Universidad de Rice enviar al profesor Harry was possible for Rice University to send Professor Harry
Ransom de la Escuela de Arquitectura a Cuadalajara a trabajar Ransom, of the School of Architecture, to Cuadalajara to
bajo la égida del Departamento de Estado de los Estados work under the aegis of the United States Department of
Unidos. El proyecto comenzó en octubre de 1964 con tres State. The project began in October, 1964, with three architects
arquitectos y cuatro estudiantes, sin embargo, el 1°. de enero de and four students. On January 1, 1966, however, there were 30
1966 participaban 30 estudiantes, 3 arquitectos y 4 ingenieros. students, three architects and four engineers involved.
A través de todo el programa, a la Universidad de Rice y al Throughout the entire program. Rice University and Professor
profesor Ransom les ha sido útil no sólo la eficaz cooperación Ransom have profited not only from the effective cooperation
de la administración dela UAC sino que además, la ayuda of the UAG administration, but from the direct assistance of
directa que han recibido de las facultades de Arquitectura e the Autonoma's Architectural and Engineering faculties. Rice
Ingeniería de dicha Universidad. Rice está especialmente is particularly indebted to Arq. Francisco Camarena, Director,
agradecida al arquitecto Francisco Camarena, Director de la UAG School of Architecture, and to Ing. Jose Luis Amezcua S.,

Escuela de Arquitectura y al Ingeniero José Luis Amezcua S., Director, institute of Exact and Terrestrial Sciences. The draft-
Director del Instituto de Ciencias Exactas y Terrestres. El dibujo ing of the hundreds of drawings was done by a large force
de los cientos de planos fue hecho por un enorme grupo de of advanced architectural students, without whose valued
alumnos avanzados, sin cuya valiosa ayuda este proyecto no assistance the project could not have been completed.
podría haberse completado.
Early in Professor Ransom's work in coordinating the campus
Muy pronto en el trabajo de coordinación del diseño del design of the University, he became particularly intrigued with
campus, el profesor Ransom quedó particularmente intrigado an ancient local practice of constructing roof systems of
con la vieja costumbre local de construir sistemas de techum- vaulted brick. Because there were certain engineering prob-
bre con bóvedas de ladrillo. Como en ello había ciertos lems involved, he invited Rice Professor Nat Krahl to visit
problemas de orden estructural invitó al profesor Nat Krahl the UAG purpose of examining the technique in depth,
for the
de la Universidad de Rice, a visitar la UAG con el propósito and, in particular, to initiate a series of engineering tests and
de estudiar esta técnica en profundidad y especialmente para experiments to determine the actual range of engineering
iniciar una serie de pruebas y experimentos a fin de deter- possibilities possessed by this local construction system.
minar la gama de posibilidades estructurales inherentes a este The following report documents the architectural-engineering
sistema de construcción local. procedure and illustrates how, in this particular circumstance,
Elinforme que sigue, documenta el procedimiento arquitec- a unit of brick became the design determinant for the architec-
como, en este caso en particular,
tónico-estructural e ilustra ture of an entire university campus. The structural tests and
launidad ladrillo se transformó en la determinante de diseño structural analysis were successful demonstrating the great
in
de un campus universitario completo. Pruebas y análisis inherent strength of the conventional brick vaults. A range of
estructurales tuvieronéxito al demostrar la gran resistencia full-size construction tests was successful in determining the
propia al sistema de bóvedas de ladrillo convencionales. Una

seriede pruebas hechas en construcciones de tamaño natural

determinaron con éxito las dimensiones de la trama estructural
que puediese permitir la construcción de bóvedas de ladrillo dimensions of a supporting structural network that would
de doble curvatura sin el uso de moldajes, y que como permit doubly curved brick vaults to be constructed without
resultado final se consiguió un método más sofisticado de the use of forms and eventually resulted in a more sophisti-
construcción de bóvedas, una vez más, sin moldajes. Resulta cated method of building such vaults, again without forms.
que el método no sólo es práctico, sino que permite una It turns out that the method is not only practical but that it

rápida construcción de bóvedas soportadas por una trama de permits rapid construction of vaults which can be supported
vigas y pilares de hormigón armado. Además, no es únicamente on a network of reinforced concrete beams and columns.
un proceso relativamente barato sino que su resultado es Moreover, not only is the process relatively cheap but its
estéticamente agradable. Esto se debe en parte a que el cielo results are also aesthetically pleasing. This is true in part
de la bóveda puede ser dejado a la vista dado el extra- because the underside of the vaults can be exposed ad-
ordinario color y la interesantísima textura de los ladrillos vantageously owing to the unusually attractive color and
utilizados. interesting surface texture of the bricks employed.

Al hablar en la conferencia original en Guadalajara, el autor Speaking at the original conference at Guadalajara, the writer
hizo notar lo relativamente mucho que la UAG había realizado observed that the UAG had accomplished relatively so much
con el relativo poco apoyo financiero, a tal punto de situar en with relatively little financial backing that it put many of the

una posición incómoda a varias de las universidades Ameri- U. S. universities represented in an embarrassing position
canas allí representadas que comunmente se quejan de la because they commonly complain about the adequacy of
suficiencia de sus mayores recursos. Con respecto a esto, se their much greater resources. In this connection, it was also
hizo notar que la edad de una persona u organización se pointed out that the age of a person or an organization can be
puede determinar por la cantidad de dolor que el individuo determined by the amount of pain the individual or the
u organización experimenta al enfrentar una nueva idea. UAG institution experiences when encountering a new idea. UAG
es joven y vigorosa, y no ha experimentado dolor, por lo is young and vigorous, and experiencing no pain, at least of

menos de esa naturaleza. Ha experimentado audazmente y this sort. It has boldly and successfully experimented by

con éxito desarrollar una institución privada e independiente, developing an independent private institution, supported by
apoyada por particulares y corporaciones y especialmente por
 "recibos de educación," procedimientos que son "nuevos" individuals and corporations, and particularly by tuition
y heterodoxos en la educación superior Latinoamericana. Es receipts, all of which procedures are "new" and unorthodox

por lo adecuado entonces, que en su moderno

tanto propio y in American higher education. It is altogether proper
Latin

y futuro desarrollo UAC tome ventaja de un "nuevo" concepto and fitting, therefore, that in its modern and future develop-
arquitectónico-estructural, que sin embargo está firmemente ment the UAC should take advantage of a "new" structural
enraizado en un antiguo y atractivo procedimiento de con- and architectural concept which is nonetheless firmly rooted
strucción característico del estado de Jalisco. in an ancient and most attractive building procedure
characteristic of the state of Jalisco.
La Universidad de Rice está orgullosa de haber tomado parte
en el desarrollo de UAC, particularmente a través de los Rice University is proud to have been connected in several

proyectos de arquitectura e ingeniería dirigidos por los pro- material ways with the development of the UAC, particularly
fesores Ransom y Krahl, delineados someramente en esta through the architectural and engineering projects directed
publicación. Su agradecimiento a las otras universidades by Professors Ransom and Krahl, which are briefly outlined in
Norteamericanas que forman parte del consorcio es grande, this publication. Its indebtedness to the other U. S. universities
10 pero a la de los líderes de la Autónoma es aún mayor. Entre of the consortium isgreat, but its obligation to the leaders of
ellos los Drs. LuisCaribay C. y Ángel Morales Castro merecen the Autónoma even greater. Among them Drs. Luis Caribay
is

especial mención por su dedicación eficaz e incansable a una C. and Angel Morales Castro deserve special mention for their
causa extraordinaria. tireless and effective dedication to an unusually worthy cause.

El esfuerzo cooperativo entre Rice y UAC se refleja en la The cooperative effort between Rice and the UAC is perhaps
mejor forma quizás en el símbolo integrado de diseño que best characterized by the integrated design symbol which
aparece en todos los planos. Representa el apropiado, mas appears on all of the production drawings. It represents the
biológicamente imposible, matrimonio de las águilas Mexi- appropriate, if biologically improbable, wedding of the Mexi-
canas de la Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara y los buhos can eagles of the Universidad Autónoma de Cuadalajara
—
Atenienses de la Universidad de Rice colofón que orgullosa- —
and the Athenian owls of Rice University a colophon we are
mente presentamos en esta publicación. pleased to display in the present publication.
II. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION

BY NAT W. KRAHL
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Purpose 17
2. Origin and Description 17
3. Test Program 22
4. Analysis of Vaults 27
5. Evaluation 28
6. Conclusions 31
Appendix A. Test Results 33
Appendix B. Conversion Factors Between Metric
And English Units 45

Part II is the text of an engineering report submitted to the

campus design team at the Universidad Autónoma de Gua-
dalajara for their use in designing the new campus buildings.
LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1. Vaulted brick floor and roof systems under

construction on steel framework 17
FIGURE 2. Vaulted brick roof system under construction on
precast concrete framework 17
FIGURE 3. Terrado construction 18
FIGURE 4. Primitive Catalan vaulting 18
FIGURE 5. Techo de bóveda 19
FIGURE 6. Hand-made mud brick drying in the open air
at Tateposco 22
FIGURE 7. Hand-made mud brick stacked for firing at Tateposco 22
FIGURE 8. Test vaults 23
FIGURE 9. Brick arches constructed for original tests 24
FIGURE 10. River sand bags being placed for uniform loading tests 24
FIGURE 11. Arch end view during early loading 24
FIGURE 12. Deflection meter placed at center of beam span 24
FIGURE 13. Instrumentation reading of vault deflection 25
FIGURE 14. Partially loaded test 25
FIGURE 15. At this point of loading the vault is supporting 388
pounds per square foot 25
FIGURE 16. With no appreciable damage to any structural element,
vaults supporting388 pounds per square foot. This is
5.4 times design live load 25
FIGURE 17. Line of thrust of test vaults 26
FIGURE 18. Calculations for: Horizontal Thrust
Max. Compressive Stress
Tensile Stress in Tie Rods 26
 1. PURPOSE
For some time now the School of Architecture at Rice
University and the architectural firm of Caudill, Rowlett, and
Scott have been assisting representatives of the Autonomous
University of Guadalajara in the preparation of a Master
Campus Plan for the development of their university. One
concept v^hich has found favor with the planners is that of
using an indigenous construction system —
namely, roofs and
floors of very flat barrel vaults of brick, supported on a struc-
ture of contemporary design —
as an architectural and structural
feature of thecampus buildings. This report is an outgrowth
of a by the writer to Guadalajara for the purpose of
trip
observing this unique construction system and is based in part
on a continuing series of tests which have been performed at
the Autonomous University since that time. The purpose of
this report is to present an evaluation of this construction
system to the campus planning team for their use in the
FIGURE Vaulted brick floor and
preparation of their plans.
1. roof systems under construction on
steel framework.

17

FIGURE 2. Vaulted brick roof system under construction on precast

concrete framework.

2. ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION OF VAULTED BRICK

CONSTRUCTION IN GUADALAJARA
2.7 ORIGIN
This construction system, known in Guadalajara as "techo
de bóveda," is essentially a structural system whereby a roof

or floor constructed of brick multiple barrel vaults, almost

is

flat, which are supported on a framework of steel (Fig. 1), or

sometimes concrete The system is apparently unique
(Fig. 2).
to a portion of central Mexico and reaches its fullest expression
in the state of Jalisco and its principal city, Guadalajara.

This method of construction

an outgrowth of centuries of
is

experience and experimentation with this and similar methods.

 -Earth Fill
Fill

X' arase
Brick Barrel Vault

18
Wood Beam

Wood Beam •

FIGURE 3. Terrado construction. FIGURE 4. Primitive Catala'n vaulting.

 It apparently stems originally fromthe Terrado system of
building 3) in which the Indians of Mexico used wood
(Fig.

beams tosupport tree branches which were covered with

earth. This method was modified by the Spanish to the Catalan
system (Fig. 4), in which wood beams supported short-span
multiple brick vaults which, in turn, supported an earth or

— Wearing Su rface
concrete fill and wearing surface.

Pill
1 Steel Beam With the introduction of structural steel, some builders used

1
rolled beams in lieu of wood beams to support the
steel
brick vaults,and examples of this are to be seen in Guadalajara.
^^í-íS;;:^-;--jt-:-^-:\'^^-^-H' Then someone observed that the shape of the steel beam
y-t ~^;j^^g^^;i^áik^p¿mt¿jj^^^^^^ would allow it to be placed between two adjacent vaults,
thereby containing the depth of the arch rib and being
— Plaster Brick Barrel Vault
1

virtually concealed itself, and the final step in the evolution

19
of the method had been taken (Fig. 5).

2.2 DESCRIPTION
Any description, analysis, or evaluation of this construction
system must first recognize that this system is a combination
of two separate structures: first, the brick vaults, which support
the floor and the loads imposed on the floor and carry these
loads to the supporting structure; and second, the supporting
FIGURE 5, Techo de bóveda.
framework of steel or concrete beams, girders, and columns
which directly support the vaults.
 a. Vaults '
usually sloped for drainage. For example, a variation of fill

thickness from 5 to 20 cm. (2 to 8 in.) over a roof would not

A typical cross-section through this type of construction is

Typically, the supporting beams are placed be unusual.

shown in Fig. 5.

80-130 cm. (32-51 in.) and this distance

center-to-center, A wearing surface of burnt clay brick or tile is usually placed
becomes the span The bricks comprising
of the barrel vault. on top of the concrete fill. On roofs a waterproofing layer of
the barrel vaults are laid without formwork, each successive asphalt or cement is placed between the concrete fill and
row of bricks in itself becoming an arch rib spanning between wearing surface.
steel beams. The vaults themselves are almost flat, the rise
Finally, the underside of the vaults is almost always covered
usually being only 3-8 cm. (1.5-3 in.). The bricks are handmade
mud bricks of local manufacture, are very light in weight and with a plaster made from lime and sand to give a perfectly

are laid with the large side flat against the adjacent arch rib.
flat ceiling which conceals the vaults and beams. In some
The bricks are laid dry, and the suction of the mortar against cases a wire mesh is attached to the beam flange to support
the side of each brick helps keep it in place until its arch rib
the plaster below the flange. In a few cases the brick vaults
has been completed. Also, the vertical axis of each brick and steel beams have been left exposed to view from below
20 is

tilted slightly so that each brick is partly supported by the and achieve a dramatic architectural effect because of the
newly-completed adjacent arch rib until its own rib is varying colors of the brick and the apparent daring of the
flatness of the vaults.
completed. The mortar in which the brick is laid is made from

lime and sand.

The above are widely used in Guadala-
brick vaults described
A level surface above the vaults and beams is achieved by jara to support the typical floor loads and roof loads encoun-
filling with a lightweight concrete made from hydrated lime tered inhouses and office buildings. The floor live load used
and "Jal," which is a local pumice sand and gravel and is the locally for design of dwellings is 150 kg./m,= (30.8 Ib./ft.'), and
volcanic material from which the State of Jalisco takes its name. maximum office floor live load for which this type of construc-
The thickness of the fill varies, particularly on roofs, which are tion would be considered suitable by local engineers is about
350 kg./m." (71.8 Ib./ft.-'). In addition, the brick vaults them- As mentioned above, the beams which directly support the
selves are not considered suitable for resisting heavy, con- vaults are usually steel beams placed 80-130 cm. (32-51 in.)
centrated loads. If such loads are anticipated in buildings of apart. Typical beam sizes range from 4-inch to 8-inch I-beams,
this type of construction, it is customary to support these loads depending on their span and their supported load. Usual spans
on small beams of steel or reinforced concrete,which replace are in the range of 4-6 meters (13-20 ft.). Most often the steel
the arch ribs in that immediate location and carry their loads beams are supported by steel girders which, in turn, are
directly to the supporting framework of beams, girders, and supported by steel columns. Occasionally, small precast con-
columns. crete beams of 1-section are used in lieu of steel beams
to support directly the brick vaults (Fig. 2), and the remainder
The allowable loads and the practices stated above are based
of the supporting structure may then become reinforced
primarily on accumulated experience. Prior to the series of
concrete.
tests described in this report, there were apparently no test
data available to aid in an evaluation of this structural system. At an interior beam under uniformly distributed load, the
Apparently the only criticism of this system by local architects lateral thrustfrom the vault on one side balances that from the
other side; but at edge beams under any loading and at interior 21
and engineers is that a few buildings employing this system
have floors which will vibrate noticeably when excited by beams under unsymmetric loadings there are unbalanced
thrusts to be resisted. For this purpose, it is the common
such factors as nearby truck traffic, a person jumping on the
practice to use tie rods between adjacent beams at intervals
floor, etc.Some floors which can be excited to vibrate notice-
along the length and to extend the lines of rods all the way
ably during construction show no objectionable vibration after
across the building. The rods are eventually concealed within
completion of the building. The writer believes this behavior
the floor construction.
to be primarily dependent upon the supporting structure and
discusses the point further in Chapter 5. Individual members of the supporting structure are, of course,

b. Supporting structure designed according to the live and dead loads, the conditions
of support, and the span or length of members.
3. TEST PROGRAM
In order to aid in the evaluation of this structural system, a
series of tests was performed at the Autonomous University
of Guadalajara. The original reports of these tests, in Spanish, ^ - J-'S^'SL'^-jLa.'^a.'^
and an English translation are presented in Appendix A of this
report. The tests themselves can be classified into two groups:
first, tests of individual materials used
and, second, a test of full-scale vaults.
in this structural system;
!? ••¿^P" *^>1^ "^-"^ ' ^ ''^ íjÜ^ m^jHUB
3.7 Tf5TS OF MATERIALS
The brick used in Guadalajara for vault construction is made
by hand in the countryside nearby, and is trucked into the
city for use. The primary ingredient is a mud made from water
and Jal, which is readily available throughout the entire area.
In addition, certain amounts of manure and maguey fiber are
FIGURE 6. Handmade mud brick drying in the open air at Tateposco.
used in the mixture. The bricks are formed in wood molds,
dried in the open air (Fig. 6), then stacked in large piles and
fired with mesquite logs, which are placed in slots left in the
piles. (Fig. 7). The resulting brick is light in weight, very porous,
and has beautiful variations in color, which depend largely Handmade mud brick stacked for firing at Tateposco.
FIGURE 7.
upon the degree of firing. Predominant colors range through
various shades of yellow, ocher, orange, red and brown.
Appendix A contains the quantitative measurements of certain
mechanical properties of samples of brick coming from the
brickyards of Tateposco and Las Pintas.

In addition to tests of the brick used for the barrel vaults, •Mif
¡Jr.: -p:--^, ','.1i.'^u^fr^r'-"'ii''A-
certain mechanical tests were also performed on representative
samples of the mortar used in the vault construction, the Jal
concrete fill placed above the vaults, and the burnt clay brick
used for the wearing surface. Specifically, the samples of each
of these materials corresponded to those particular
materials used in the construction of the full-scale vaults that
were load tested. Results are given in Appendix A.
,<*.*

fe
it;

_••' --'x^j^r'-tJ^^:-:.
 e 3.2 TEST OF VAULTS
Appendix A contains the report of the load test of full-scale
brick vaults performed on the campus of the Autonomous
University of Guadalajara. A sketch of the structure which was
tested is shown in Figure 8 and photographs of the test are
r-\ shown in Figures 9-16. The basic aim of the test was to observe
the behavior and the strength of the brick vaults under uni-
formly distributed load. As mentioned above, the structural
system under consideration has two separate components,
the brick vaults and the supporting structure. It was felt that a
supporting structure of steel or reinforced concrete could be
2V."* readily analyzed with confidence because of the wealth of
research information which is available concerning such struc-

tures. However, no test data were available for the brick vaults,
since they seem to be unique in several respects. What was
desired, therefore, was a measure of the strength of the vaults 23
themselves, without a premature failure on the part of the
SECTION A-A
supporting structure. To achieve this end, the steel beams
Note: Dimensions shown in Meters,
supporting the test vaults were made arbitrarily oversize, 10-
inch I-beams on a 3 meter (9 ft. 10 in.) span, while the vaults
were constructed of conventional proportions and materials.
Sacks of river sand were used to simulate a uniformly dis-
tributed load on the structure. The sacks failed before the
was successful in demonstrating that the
structure, but the test
structure was capable of sustaining a superimposed uniformly
distributed load of 1893 kg./m.= (388 lb./ft.=) without apprecia-
^^nnr
ble damage and without excessive deflection. Based on the
maximum live load in current use for this type of construction,
which is 350 kg./m.' (71.8 Ib./ft.-), we find a factor of safety
which must be greater than 5.4. Additional details of the vault
load test are found in Appendix A.

FIGURE 8. Test vaults.

 FIGURE 9. Brick arches constructed for original tests. FIGURE 10. River sand bags being placed for uniform loading tests.

24

FIGURE 11. Arch end view during early loading. FIGURE 12. Deflection meter placed at center of beam span.
 í
f # #

FIGURE 13. Instrumentation reading of vault deflection. FIGURE 14. Partially loaded test.

25
FIGURE 15. At this point of loading the vault is supporting 388 pounds per FIGURE 16. With no appreciable damage to any structural element, vaults
square foot. supporting 388 pounds per square foot. This is 5.4 times
design live load.
 FIGURE 17. Line of thrust of test vaults.

26

FIGURE 18.

CALCULATIONS FOR: HORIZONTAL THRUST,

MAX. COMPRESSIVE STRESS,
TENSILE STRESS IN TIE RODS
2H 2X1,630X1
Span: 1.30 m.
».
Compressive c*
Max. r-
•

Stress= ^ =
^^^^^^ ^
Dead Load: Paving Brick 15 kg./m^ 3 Ib./ft.' Max. Compressive Stress = 2.91 kg./cm.' (41 lb/in.')
Jal Concrete Fill 70 kg./m^ .14 Ib./ft.^
. .

J H
— 1,630X1.50
Tensile c. m Tie D
T-
=
.,
-r
Brick Vault 145 kg./m^ 30 Ib./ft.^ Stress Rods=
. . .

As 2 X U.71
.,

230 kg./m^ 47 Ib./ft.^ Tensile Stress in Tie Rods=1,720 kg./cm.' (24,500 Ib./in.')

For Design Live Load of 350 kg./m.^ (72 Ib./ft,^): For Max. Test Live Load of 1,893 kg./m.' (388 Ib./ft.'):

Total Load = 230 + 350 = 580 kg./m.^ (119 Ib./ft.') Total Load = 230 + 1,893 = 2,1 23 kg./m.' (435 Ib./ft.')

L, .

Hor,zontal Tu
^ ^
Thrust=
I
— = ^^^OO^
wL^ 580X1.30' Horizontal Thrust = 5,960 kg./m. (4,010 Ib./ft.)
Max. Compressive Stress = 10.64 kg./cm.' (151 Ib./in.')
Horizontal Thru5t = 1,630 kg./m. (1,097 Ib./ft.) Tensile Stress in Tie Rods = 6,290 kg./cm.' (89,500 Ib./in.')
4. ANALYSIS OF VAULTS
Figure 17 shows a scale drawing of a cross-section of the barrel The line of thrust following these restrictions is shown in Fig.
vault used in the load test. If we consider a unit thickness of 17. Since this line of thrust lies entirely within the middle third
vault perpendicular to the plane of the paper, we can analyze of the bricks making up the arch rib, no tensile stress will be
the vault as an arch rib. Since these vaults in practice are con- developed in any part of the rib regardless of the magnitude
structed without formwork, it must be realized that the actual of the applied load, and hence we can conclude that the arch
curve of the underside, or intradós, of the rib will vary some- is stable against failure by rotation of one section of the arch
what from one cross-section to another. But, since the rise of about the edge of a joint. Other possible modes of failure to
the arch is so small, only about 3% of the span, all smooth be investigated include the sliding of one section of the arch
curves of this rise and span will lie very close to one another. on another, crushing of the masonry, and failure of an
FHence the small variations in construction are likely to be un- abutment to provide adequate thrust resistance.
important. For simplicity, the placement of bricks in Fig. 17 is
As a measure of sliding stability we examine Fig, 17 and find
shown approximating the curve of a second-degree parabola.
that the maximum angle between the line of thrust and the
Because this arch is of relatively short span and, in practice,
normal to the joint between arch sections is about 6 degrees. 27
supports a relatively light, uniformly-distributed load, the so- The significance of this number is evaluated in the next
called "line of thrust" analysis considered to be the most
is
chapter.
suitable basis for analysis.* According to this analysis, the line
of thrust under uniformly distributed load becomes parabolic,
The rise of the arch itself is only .3.9 cm. (1.5 in.), but we see
from Fig. 17 that the rise of the thrust line is 7.5 cm. (3.0 in.).
the crown thrust is horizontal, and its resultant lies at the upper
extremity of the middle third of the arch rib, while the resultant
Fig. 18 shows the calculations for horizontal thrust, maximum
skewback compressive stress in the arch, and tensile stress in the tie rods
thrust at the lies at the lower extremity of the middle
third of the arch rib.
for two separate conditions: first, a design live load of 350
kg./m.- (72 lb. /ft.-); and, second, the maximum test live load

•Harry C. Plummer, Brick and Tile Engineering, Structural Clay Products of 1893 kg./m." (388 Ib./ft.'). The significance of these stresses
Institute, Washington, D.C., 2nd ed., 1962, pp. 199-214. is evaluated in the next chapter.
 5. EVALUATION
5.1 VAULTS AND COMPONENT MATERIALS shall combine the results of the load test described in Chapter
3 and the mathematical analysis reported in Chapter 4. Modes
Two aspects of vault construction and behavior are worthy of
of failure to be considered can be listed as follows: rotation
comment here: first, the unique construction method whereby
of one section of the arch about the edge of a joint, the sliding
the brick vaults are laid without formwork; and, second,
of one section of the arch on another, crushing of the masonry,
the ability of the vaults to carry uniformly distributed loads
and failure of an abutment to provide adequate thrust
of considerable magnitude without damage or excessive
resistance. We shall examine each of these possibilities in turn.
deflection, despite their flatness.

The handmade bricks used in constructing the vaults are ex-

First,we see from Fig. 17 that the line of thrust under uniform
load lies entirely within the middle third of the bricks making
tremely porous because of the materials and methods used in
up the arch rib, regardless of the magnitude of the applied
their manufacture. This high porosity is reflected in the absorp-
load; and this precludes the possibility of a tensile stress
tion percentages reported in the test results of Appendix A. In
developing in any part of the masonry. Hence, we can state
addition, the bricks are very light in weight, being about one-
28 that the arch is stable against failure by the rotation of one
third less in unit weight than the usual machine-made brick
section of the arch about the edge of a joint.
used in the United States. Thus, when a brick is laid dry in
mortar against an adjacent, newly-completed arch rib, the Next, from Fig. 17 we see that the maximum angle between
suction generated on the contacting large face is sufficient to the line of thrust and the normal to the joint between arch
hold the light brick in place until its own arch rib is completed. sections about 6 degrees. The coefficient of friction between
is

The naturally low humidity of the Jalisco climate contributes to the units is at least 0.50, without counting the additional
this process, of course. Also contributing to the support of resistance to sliding provided by bond between the mortar
the new rib is the fact that the vertical axis of each brick is and the masonry units. This coefficient of friction corresponds
slightlytilted toward the existing construction so that the to an angle of friction of about 27 degrees; and, since 6 degrees
newly-completed arch rib actually provides some positive is much less than 27 degrees, the arch is quite stable against
mechanical support for the rib under construction. sliding.

In order to evaluate the load-carrying capacity of the vaults, we Concerning the possibility of masonry crushing, we should be
able to conclude that since the test vaults sustained no appreci-
yield strength of the particular grade of steel from which the
able damage under a superimposed live load of 1893 kg/m."
tie rods were manufactured; but for most grades of structural
(388 lb. /ft.-), the stresses produced by this load must be lower
steel rods, the yield strength would be well below 6290
than the failing stresses for the component materials. Maximum kg. /cm.- If the tie rods had yielded, this would likely have been
compressive stress in the vault isin Fig. 18 to be
calculated
reflected in a sudden increase of vault deflection; and, since
10.64 kg. /cm.-, well below compressive strength of
the
no such increase was observed, it is likely that the tie rods did
Tateposco brick, 65.5 kg. /cm.-, and even well below the com-
not yield and that the calculated stress in the tie rods is too
pressive stress at first crack, 20.8 kg. /cm.' The calculated stress
high. Several factors help to explain this situation. First, the
of 10.64 kg. /cm.- is slightly greater than the measured compres-
was only 3 meters long between centers
entire test structure
sive strength of the mortar, 8.8 kg. /cm.-; but we should of end supports. Through friction at the bearings of the steel
recognize that the mortar strength was measured in an uncon-
beams on the end supports, some force may have been
fined compression whereas the mortar in the vault is
test,
the supports so that they participated with
transferred into
stressed in a confined condition in which its strength is likely the tie rods in providing thrust resistance. Also, the Jal concrete
to be much greater than in the unconfined condition. Thus
and paving brick are considered to be only dead weight, and 29
the arch rib is seen to be safe against crushing with a large
the only load-resisting masonry element in the floor construc-
factor of safety for a design load of 350 kg./m.", and this is seen
tion is assumed to be the brick arch. Actually, the jal concrete
to be true by both analytical and experimental considerations.
and the paving brick have structural strength in themselves and
Thrust resistance is provided by the steel beams and tie rods. may well participate with the brickwork in supporting the
The only question concerning the adequacy of the thrust resist- loads. If so, the line of thrust would have a much greater depth
ance arises in the case of an unbalanced thrust, as on an edge available for its equilibrium position, the magnitude of the
beam. The edge beam transfers this thrust to the tie rods, thrust would be reduced, and the resulting stresses would
which tie the two edge beams together across the width of all thereby be reduced. This is to say that the line of thrust analysis
the vaults. Fig. 18 indicates a calculated tensile stress of 6290 illustrated in Fig. 17 is conservative for design, but may be
kg./cm.= (89,500 Ib./in.") in the tie rods of the test vaults at overconservative for the evaluation of test results when applied
maximum load. The test results give no data concerning the to this particular structure. It would seem prudent, however.
 to provide tie rods in accordance with the requirements of trated loads are involved. In general, this would mean leaving
the line of thrust analysis for any construction contemplated out arch ribs in the immediate location of the concentrated
on the UAC campus. loads and replacing them with beams of steel or reinforced
concrete.
It would seem unnecessary to check the ability of the edge
beam to withstand the bending produced by the horizontal 5.2 SUPPORTING STRUCTURE
thrust between tie rods, since the great stiffness of the vaults
As mentioned above, a great deal of research information is
in the horizontal plane would make possible a horizontal
available concerning the behavior of a structural framework
arching between tie rods even if the beam were relatively
of steel or reinforced concrete when subjected to a known
flexible in this direction.
loading condition. Therefore, the design of such a framework
A word of caution should be mentioned concerning the proper to resist certain specified loads is, to some extent, a straight-
elevation of the tie rods. In order to avoid eccentricities which forward matter. However, two special conditions pertaining
could produce secondary moments and stresses in the struc- to the structures supporting brick vaults in Guadalajara deserve
ture, it will be desirable to keep the elevation of the tie rods special consideration.
30 as close as possible to the intersection of the line of thrust The American Institute of Steel Con-
latest specifications of the
with the web
of the steel beam. According to Fig. 17, it looks struction recommend*that the depth of fully stressed beams
as if requirement can be satisfied and still keep the tie
this
and girders in be not less than Fy/800,000 times the span;
floors
rods concealed in the depth of the arch rib. and, where subject to shock or vibration, not less than Fy/650,-
A final word of caution concerns the handling of concentrated 000 times the span. In their notation Fy is the specified mini-
loads. The test program did not investigate concentrated loads, mum yield point of the type of steel being used, in pounds per
nor is the line of thrust analysis recommended for treating square inch. If members of less depth are used, the unit stress
concentrated loads. Unless further investigations are made inbending should be decreased in the same ratio as the depth
into this type of loading, it is recommended that the limitations
•Section 1.13, "Commentary on the Specification for the Design, Fabrication
on the use of this structural system which have been accumu- anci Erection of Structural Steel for Buildings," April 17, 1963, American
lated through experience be strictly followed where concen- Institute of Steel Construction.
isdecreased from that recommended above. These specifica- building to be designed to pass through a minor seismic dis-
tions also requiret that the depth of beams and girders sup- turbance without appreciable damage and to survive a major
porting flat roofs be not less than fi,/600,000 times their span seismic disturbance. Proper design for these conditions requires
length whether designed as simple or continuous spans, where a consideration of the overall configuration of the building in
fb is the computed bending stress in pounds per square inch.
addition to individual member sizes, connections, etc. It
These specifications are mentioned because apparently some is recommended due
that attention be given to seismic
of the beams used in Guadalajara to support the vaulted brick considerations in the design of the UAG buildings.
construction are too shallow to meet these standards. The
excessive flexibility of some of these beams is the most likely
source of the noticeable vibration which is occasionally present
in a structure of this sort, and which was mentioned in Chapter
6. CONCLUSIONS
2. It is recommended that all of the AISC Specifications be Based on the considerations outlined in the first five chapters
strictly followed in the detailed design of structural steel for of this report, the following conclusions are offered:
the buildings of theUAC campus, and that the latest specifica- 1. it has been demonstrated by load test and by mathematical
tions of the American Concrete Institute be followed in the 31
analysis that multiple barrel vaults of handmade brick, when
detailed design of any concrete framework. constructed of the proportions and the materials customary
The second special condition worth mentioning is the fact in Guadalajara, can be used with a high factor of safety to

that Guadalajara lies in a region where earthquake activity is support their own dead weight plus a uniformly distributed live
frequent and, occasionally, severe. It has been some time since load up to 350 kg./m.= (72 lb./ft.=). For a live load of 350
a major earthquake was felt in this area, but such earthquakes kg./m-. the factor of safety is greater than 5.4.
are a matter of historical record here. Earthquake engineering 2. any use of these brick vaults in the new buildings on the
In
has adv anced to the point where it is perfectly feasible for a
UAG campus, it is recommended that tie rods between sup-
tSection 1.13, "Specification for the Design, Fabrication and Erection of porting beams be designed to resist the thrust obtained by
Structural Steel for Buildings," adopted April 17, 1963, American Institute making a line of thrust analysis (or similar analysis) on the
of Steel Construction.
vaults themselves.
 3. Since no tests have beenmade to determine the behavior
of the under concentrated loads, it is recom-
brick vaults
mended that any use of the vaults strictly observe the limita-
tions which have been accumulated through experience
regarding the support of concentrated loads. In general, this
would mean leaving out brick arch ribs in the immediate
location of the concentrated loads and replacing them with
beams of steel or reinforced concrete. If any modification of
this recommendation is desired, additional tests should be
performed to justify such modification.

4. It is recommended that any steel members, in the structural

framework which supports the vaults, be designed in accord-
ance with the latest specifications and recommendations
of the

32 American Institute of Steel Construction. Special attention is

called to Section 1.13 of the Specifications and the- Commen-
tary on the Specifications concerning limitations on depth of
flexural members, since apparently some steel beams used in
Guadalajara to support brick vaults are shallower than these
provisions recommend.
5. It is recommended
that any concrete members, in the struc-
turalframework which supports the vaults, be designed in
accordance with the latest specifications of the American
Concrete Institute.

6. It is recommended that due attention be given to seismic

considerations in the design of the UAG buildings.
APPENDIX A

TEST RESULTS
 ^acultab he ingeniería Chnl
REPORTE DE AHALIliia DE t.UTERIALeS EFECTUADOS EN EL
LABORATüfilO DE LA FACULTAD DE INGEMJRIA Ü.A.G.

MATERIAL ENSAYADO ;

.......^ A,.,™
Ladrill* de lama hecli* a man* procadenta
.. .„^,.i.,. ^g ^^g ladrilleras de "Tatepe«8«".
Jiuarponiba ( enftimUlab

lÜiobMb «nítitnitarta ^ulóaz

Qltl. S-95-a6 Muestra 1 . 2 3,4,5 Pr»m.

Fes* V*lum<-
tric* Sec* 1260 "1255 1200 '1210 '1370 1259
K*/M3

IlÜdul* de Bup-
15.4 |9.41 16.7 '15.6 '25 16.42
tura.
(K«/o«2)

Beslstencla a
la o«inpreBi<n 50.35 !55.5 37.00 ¡ 66.0 ¡118.5 65.47
(K«/oiii2)

Primera Grieta
(Kí/cb2) 16.9 ! 30 17.2 ¡ 20 ¡19.8 20. ?8
34
Aba*rai<n
(24 ha.)
27.6?í ¡
32^ 32.83É|31.6?t |27.5?í 30.3*

AbsoraKn
(5 ha. eljulll- 36.5^ ¡38.7^ 33* ;38.23í ;
32% 35.68*
ci<n)

C*eficieiita da
Saturaoiín 0.75 ¡0.83 1.0 ¡0.83 ¡0.86 0.854
1

HOTAi Temperatura del A^a para aaturacidn en 24 ha.,

17.5 "C.
Fírmula Mídul* de ruptura 3 PL ,
Fírmula ompreaiín I „ *

Abs*rBÍ<n —Pi—
Ph-Pa _
,„„ = *
10°
C*eficieiite da saturacián = Ph2 - Ps

Ph-Pa
 REPORT OF ANALYSIS OF MATERIALS PERFORMED IN THE
LABORATORY OF THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING U.A.G.

MATERIALS TESTED:
Handmade mud brick coming from the brickyards of "Tateposco/

Sample

Test Units 1 2 3 4 5 Average

Volumetric kg/m' 1260 1255 1200 1210 1370 1259

Weight, Dry lb/ft 3 78.6 78.4 75.0 75.5 85.5 78.6

Modulus kg/cm2 15.4 9.41 16.7 15.6 25 16.42

of Rupture Ib/in2 219 134 237 222 356 234

Compressive kg/cm^ 50.35 55.5 37.0 66.0 118.5 65.47

Strength Ib/in2 716 789 526 939 1,685 931

First kg/cm3 16.9 30 17.2 20 19.8 20.78

Crack Ib/in2 241 427 245 285 281 296

Absorption % 27.6 32 32.8 31.6 27.5 30.3

(24 hours)

35
Absorption % 36.5 38.7 33 38.2 32 35.68
(5 hrs. boiling)

Coefficient - 0.75 0.83 1.0 0.83 0.86 0.854

of Saturation

NOTE: Temperature of the water for saturation in 24 hours,

17.5° C (63.5° F).

3 PL
Formula for Modulus of Rupture -^ t-Tj

Formula for Compressive Strength "T ~ f

Absorption ^ " ' . 100 =W

P - P
Coefficient of Saturation = -^ p-^
 í

Jfacultab be ingeniería (Eitril

3«tiTpar.t>. . I. enit.n.ib«ft
Reporte de análisis de materiales efectuados en el Labora
Mnhicul bi ^cilcD

aitob-b BBto.rtitari- A»i¿™«- torio de la Facultad de Ingeniería de la U.A.O.

tnil. 9-95-38
Material ensayado
Ladrillo de lama hecho a Baño proceden-
te de las ladrilleras de "Las Pintas".

,1,2,3
1 f » t 1 t 1 1

, Kuestra ,4 , 5 , Prom. ,

Peso volume

lililí
' t t i f » t i

•
l'^h'^S ' 1180 ' 1070' 1180 • 1180 ' 1180 • 1158 '
Kg/n

lililí
f
»
seco
! Kídulo de - ' • i n i i i

,
ruptura 1

(Kg/om'^) 11.4 11.9 13-55 16-50 11.35 12-94

36
• Reei Btencia " ' 'i • * » •

, a la compre , 33-15, 43-2 , 72-2 ,6l-2 , 14.6 , 44.87 ,

Bien
» Primera - - • » » » ' • •

,
grieta , 12.3 , 14-7 , 15-7 , 30-3 , 9-9 i
16.58 ,

Ka/cB'^

i
"nfj" 1
^^•«'^ ', 51-'*^ /36-35íí|^30-8lí
1
38-8Í |
35-03% '

-T-'^^- ^"-^^I "5-5''; tlfí 46?6 ,'

42.82#
•
(Shr'e^ll.' • : 1

'
I
Coeficiente
de satura—
oiín lililí
• 1 • 0-71 ' 0.79 ' 0.75 ' 0.64 ' 0.8l5 •

encargado del Laheratsrlo Jefe del Eepto. de Física

Tng. Carlcs-^rujillo del Río %

Fi^arjel ROO Niíñez Farias
 REPORT OF ANALYSIS OF MATERIALS PERFORMED IN THE
LABORATORY OF THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING U.A.G.

MATERIALS TESTED:
Handmade mud brick coming from the brickyards of "Las Pintas.'

Sample

Test Units 1 2 3 4 5 Average

Volumetric kg/m3 1180 1070 1180 1180 1180 1158

Weight, Dry Ib/ft3 73.7 66.8 73.6 73.6 73.6 72.3

Modulus 11.4 11.9 13.55 16.50 11.35 12.94

of pupture lb/in 2 162 169 193 235 161 184

Compressive 33.15 43.2 72.2 61.2 14.6 44.87

37
ka^cm2
Strength lb/in 2 472 615 1,026 870 208 638

First kg/cm 2 12.3 14.7 15.7 30.3 9.9 16.58

Crack lb/in 2 175 209 223 431 141 236

Absorption % 37.8 31.4 36.35 30.8 38.8 35.03

{24 hours)

Absorption % 37.4 44.2 45.5 41 46 42.82

(5 hrs. boiling)

Coefficient - ' 0.71 0.79 0.75 0.84 0.818

of Saturation

Director of the Laboratory Head of the Department of Physics

Engineer Carlos Tru¡illo del Rio Engineer Francisco Nunez Farias

 Jfaotltali be ^ngetrierta fflitti!

LABORATORIO DE RESISTENCIA DE MATERIALES

FACULTAD DE IBIJEHIERIA D.A.G.

BiiÜm »Hiift Antóiu

Mnboi* bi ^«to Informe de las pruetas de Resistencia de tiveda de

aUnbab ABt¿
ladrillo de lama apoyada en viga de fierr».
»ittti raitari«

«•t. s-a. -3B

Datos de Csnstruocijn.- La tiéveda se construya con

ladrillo de lama proaedente de "Tateposoo" con un claro
de 1.30 mtB. y una flecha de 3.9 eme. (3^ olaro) sóbre-
la tóveda ee colocó un bormigiSn de Cal y Jal hidratada-
de un espesor promedio de 7 eme. y por último se coloca
en la parte superior un enladrillado consistente de la-
drille de harro cocido con dimensiones 20 Z 20 X 1 eme*
Las dimensiones totales de las bóvedas fueron: 3*15 X -
2.69 mts. dando una superficie de 8,4735 M2. Se usa mor
tero de Cal y arena amarilla en proposiciones comunes.

Prueba.— Se carg6 la bóveda con sacos de arena de-

38 río que se fueron pesando independientemente, y colocan
do en la bóveda para dar una carga uniformemente repara*
tida en toda la superficie; ee midieron las deformacio-
nes de los arcos de bóveda así como las de las viguetas
de apoyOf llegando a tener una carga total de 16.033 ^g
y una deformación de 6.9& milimetros sin tener fallas —
considerables en todo el elemento estructural.

Resultados:
Resistencia de la bóveda sin llegar a la ruptura.
1892.92 Kg8/B2.

Deformación de toda estructura.

6.98 milimetrod.

No hubo fallas de consideración.

Resistencia del mortero 8.8 Eg8./cm2. a la compre-
sión.
Guadalajara, Jal. 10 da Diciembre de 1964.

lio del Río.

 STRENGTH OF MATERIALS LABORATORY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING U.A.G.

Report of the strength tests of a vault of mud brick supported on

steel beams.

Construction data.- The vault was constructed of mud brick from

"Toteposco" with a span of ,30 meters (4 feet 3,2 inches) and a rise of
1

3.9 centimeters (1 .5 inches), 3% of the span. Over the vault was placed
a concrete of Jal and hydrated lime of an overage thickness of 7 centi-
meters (2.8 inches), and lost, on the upper part was placed o firm paving
of burnt clay brick with dimensions 20 x 20 x 1centimeters (7,9 x 7.9 x
0.4 inches) .The total dimensions of the vaults were: 3.15 x 2.69 meters
(10 feet 4.0 inches x 8 feet 9.9 inches) giving on area of 8.4735 square
meters (91 .2 square feet) A mortar of lime and yellow sand in the usual
.

proportions was used.

Test.- The vault was loaded with sacks of river sand which were
weighed independently and were placed on the vault in order to give a
load uniformly distributed over the whole surface; the deformations of the
arches of the vault were measured as well as those of the supporting
beams, reaching a total load of 16,033 kilograms (35,350 pounds) and a 39
deformation of 6.98 millimeters (0.27 inch) without appreciable damage
in any structural element.

Results:

Strength of the vault without reoching failure

1,892.92 kilogroms/square meter
(388 pounds/square foot)

Deformation of the whole structure

6,98 millimeters
(0.28 inch)
There was no damage of importance.

Compressive strength of the mortar

8.8 kilogroms/square centimeter
(125 pounds/square inch)

Guada a ara. Ja isco Decembe r 10, 1964

Director ofth s Laboratory
Engineer Carl DS Trujillo de 1 Rio
 ^aadtab be ^ngenieibt (Shiil

Oficina da Planeacidn de
Ciudad Universitaria Autánoma.
Bnlmmtiafi Astáaana bi 9iutula|ai Atte. Arn. iiansoni.
J m u i^m rab» 1< Bafimvlteb
Mnfaiual til ^áltc
Cfaibob SniStnitarÍB ^ftiitóminu

QUI. S-S5-3B
Informe de laa pruebas de ííeaigtencia de
TOateri^lea aolicitaria por esa H, úficina.

1 .-
A.- Peso volumétrico del hormigán de Jal
'isado en bóvedas de la prueba reali-
zada en Oicierabre prdxlnio pasado.

IluálFICACIüK EN VCLtaiSN.

JAL 2
AH.íFí \':AaiLiA 1
CAL 0.75
AG aA 0.50
40
Peso volumétrico a la edad de
10 días 938.89 Kgs/M^
6 días 1047.60 Kgs/M^

B.- I.'ODULO DE HUPTURA.

2.535 Kgs/cm.^

C- RESIáTirCIA A LA COIirPRESION
la. grieta; 3.52 Kgs/om 2
Ruptura: 4.35 Kgs/om. 2

2o.- l'eso volumétrico del ladrillo de ba

rro recüoldo usado cono impermeaoilisante de bóvedas.

P£30 VOLUt.-iíRICO.
1464.29 Kga/cm2
 ))

Office of Planning of the

Autonomous University City
Attention: Architect Ransom

Report of the strength of materials tests requested by

that Honorable Office.

A.- Volumetric weight of the Jal concrete used in the

vaults in the test performed last December.

PROPORTION BY VOLUME

lAI 2
YELLOW SAND 1

LIMF 0.7.S
WATFR n.-io

Volumetric weight at 41
lOdays 938.85>kg./m3 {58.5 lb./ft.=
6days 1047.ó0kg./mJ (65.5 Ib./ft.M

B. MODULUS OF RUPTURE

2.535 kg./cm.' (36.1 lb./!n? )

C. COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

Cracking: 3.52kg./cm; (50.0 Ib./in.'

Rupture: 4.35 kg ./cm? (61 .9 Ib./in.M

2. - Volumetric weight of the burnt clay brick used to

moke the voults impermeable.

VOLUMETRIC WEIGHT

1 464. 29 kg ./m .3 (91.4 Ib./ft? )

 J)[acultab be ^tigenirrta flihril

3.- 3EFLEXI0N JO^AL DE LA BOV"£DA

J nmHio rab» ! Buftiinlftaa

6.98 mm.
flintisil VnOitnttaiÍM ^linamm
Sfl. 5-95-36
DEFLEXION DS LA VIGA DE ACERO
2,446 mm,

DEFLEXION ti -ILATIVA 'JE LA "BÓVEDA.

6,98-2.446= 4.534 mm.
PEHALTE DE LA VIGA - 10"
CLARO DE LA VIGA - 2.67 Kts.

Atentamente
" CIENCIA Y LIBEaTAD "
42
Guadalajara, Jal., Abril 9 de 1965.

Encargado del Laboratorio de Resistencia de

Materiales.

ING. CARLOS J«ÍJILL0 DEL IilO

3. - TOTAL DEFLECTION OF THE VAULT
6.98 mm. (0.28 Inch)

DEFLECTION OF THE STEEL BEAM

2.446 mm. (0.10 inch)

RELATIVE DEFLECTION OF THE VAULT

6.98 - 2.446 = 4.534 mm. (0. 18 Inch)

DEPTH OF THE BEAM - 10 inches

SPAN OF THE BEAM - 2.67 meters (8 feet 9.2 inches)

Sincerely, 43
"SCIENCE AND LIBERTY"

Guadalajara, Jal., April 9, 1965

Director of the Strength of Materials Laboratory

Engineer Carlos Trujillo del Rio

APPENDIX B

CONVERSION FACTORS
BETWEEN METRIC AND ENGLISH UNITS

METRIC UNITS TO ENGLISH UNITS

1 meter = 39.37 inches
1 square meter = 10.76 square feet
1 kilogram = 2.205 pounds
1 kilogram/meter = 0.6721 pound/foot ^^
1 killogram/square centimeter = 14.22 pounds/sq. inch
1 kilogram/square meter = 0.2049 pound/sq. foot
1 kilogram/cubic meter = 0.06243 pound/cu. foot

ENGLISH UNITS TO METRIC UNITS

1 inch = 0.02540 meter
1 square foot = 0.09290 square meters
1 pound = 0.4536 kilogram
1 pound/foot = 1.488 kilogram/meter
1 pound/square inch = 0.07031 kilogram/square centimeter
1 pound/square foot = 4.883 kilograms/square meter
1 pound/cubic foot = 16.02 kilograms/cubic meter
DESIGN EVOLUTION

BY HARRY S. RANSOM
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ARCHITECTURE
LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1. One way growth system 52

FIGURE 2. View of ceiling of "La Casa de las Artesanias" in

Guadalajara, showing doubly curved, two way vaults 53

FIGURE 3. Two way growth system 52
FIGURE 4. Forming of test structure, December 1965. Note small
wood pieces used for forms. Plywood is quite expensive.. 54
FIGURE 5. Reinforcing being placed in the test structure, 3
modules by 5 modules, two end modules cantilevered 54
FIGURE 6. Concrete being placed 54
FIGURE 7. Diagonal and circular doubly curved vaults constructed
for study purposes 54
FIGURE 8. Diagonal vault completed. Labor time; 3 hours, 45
minutes. Labor time for circular vault; 7 hours 55
FIGURE 9. Forms removed; the effect of the concrete coffered
ceiling 55
FIGURE 10. The diagonal vault system. Electrical outlet box
fully recessed in brick depth 55
FIGURE 11. Rectangular brick vault. Labor time; 1 hour, 10
minutes. This is the vaulting system that will be
used in the new university buildings 55
FIGURE 12. Aerial view of model of the proposed campus 56
The preceding sections of this report technically document the Consequently, a subsequent series of tests was undertaken
structural capacity of a traditional regional building technique: by the architectural design group in Guadalajara to discover
the building of brick barrel vaults. that dimension of supporting structural network that would

In the architectural programming for all of the proposed new

permit the doubly curved brick vaults to be constructed with-

buildings for the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara it out the use of forms; and to retain a low rise of the vault
became evident that a system of architectural flexibility must capable of inclusion within a normal ceiling-floor thickness
(Fig. 3).
be an integral part of the structural skeleton. It is imperative
that, with relative ease, walls may be modules
relocated, Several trial-and-error, full-size tests were conducted; calcu-
added, spaces rearranged. Versatility is essential. The barrel lations reviewed and refined; and visual details studied. To
brick vault system satisfied these requirements to a workable transcribe all of the testing procedures would make this investi-

degree. But it was recognized as basically a one-way growth gation a purely text oriented writing. Suffice to say that the
system with the opportunity to expand or move in only one original tests acted as a springboard for the development of
direction. For example, partitions can be only reasonably a more sophisticated method of building vaults of brick; in 51
relocated at the supporting beams, framing in the same this —
doubly curved brick vaults built without the
instance,
direction (Fig. 1). —
use of forms spanning 5'-2^Ir" (1.60 meters) rising 3.9" (10
centimeters). These vaults are in turn supported upon an
A two-way was therefore desired so that
directional system
aggregate network of reinforced concrete beams and columns.
two directions. Such a sys-
expansibility could occur in either of
tem can be seen today (Fig. 2) in one building in Guadalajara, The underside of the brick vaults will be exposed to take
"La Casa de las Artesanías." In this handsome structure two- advantage of their rich color and textura! surface (Fig. 4-11).
way doubly curved brick vaults are employed, spanning This evolved system then becomes the structural design
approximately 16 feet and supported upon square steel-framed determinant for all of the architecture of the new campus of
bays. But elaborate formwork was necessary to achieve this the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara —
a system rich in
striking result. both the past and the present (Fig. 12).
FIGURE 1. One way growth system. FIGURE 2. View of ceiling of "La Casa de las Artesanías" in Guadalajara, í>
showing doubly curved, two way vaults.

FIGURE 3. Two way growth system.

 w\

mt,:» 'M- *

mmmm0mm0mt0mmmmBÍmgmí0^m

'if >
4
 FIGURE 4. Forming of test structure, December 1965. Note small wood FIGURE 5. Reinforcing being placed in the test structure, 3 modules by
pieces used for forms. Plywood is quite expensive. 5 modules, two end modules cantilevered.

54
FIGURE 6. Concrete being placed. FIGURE 7. Diagonal and circular doubly curved vaults constructed for
study purposes.
 - ^-^.

FIGURE 8. Diagonal vault completed. Labor time; 3 hours, 45 minutes. FIGURE 9. Forms removed; the effect of the concrete coffered ceiling
Labor time for circular vault; 7 hours.

55
FIGURE 10. The diagonal vault system. Electrical outlet box fully recessed FIGURE 11. Rectangular brick vault. Labor time; ^ hour, 10 minutes. This
in brick depth. is the vaulting system that will be used in the new university
buildings.

^ >yy t

;.vv.i
 FIGURE 12. Aerial view of model of the proposed campus.

56
 ARCHITECTURE AT RICE SERIES
,
1 ON PEOPLE AND THINGS, William W. Caudill, September 1961
2 UNITED NATIONS' CONFERENCE ON NEW SOURCES OF ENERGY, Paul Jacques Grillo, October 1961
3 RICE PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM, William W. Caudill, December 1961
4 ALVAR AALTO AND THE ARCHITECTURE OF FINLAND, Scott D. Hamilton, Jr., March 1962
5 THE ALUMNUS CRITIC PROGRAM, Morton L, Levy, Jr., May 1962
6 ARCHITECTURE FOR OUR TIMES, Howard E. Eilenberger, Author; L. James McCuIlar, Illustrator, June 1962
7 THE PEOPLE'S ARCHITECTS, William W. Caudill, March 1963
8 SKETCHES, Charles Schorre, Special Editor, April 1963
9 WILLIAM WARD WATKIN TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP WINNERS, Coryl LaRue Jones, May 1963
10 THREE CITIES, Paul Jacques Grillo, September 1963
11 THE AESTHETICS OF FOLDED PLATES, Clovis B. Heimsath, January 1964
12 AN EVALUATION—THE RICE PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM, Coryl LaRue Jones, April 1964
13 THE RICE DESIGN FETE, AN EXPERIMENT IN EXPERIENCE, Coryl LaRue Jones, Author, Maurice Miller, Photographer, June 1964
14 FOUR PLANNING CONCEPTS FOR BAY CITY, TEXAS, William T. Cannady & Architecture 300 Students, September 1964
15 THE CONCEPT OF PLASTIC FORM, Bill N. Lacy and Frank S. Kelly, April 1965
16 LAKE HOUSTON DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, William T. Cannady & Architecture 300 Students, August 1965
17 POBLACIÓN ALMIRANTE GOMEZ CARRENO, Andrew Belschner, February 1966
18 VAULTED BRICK CONSTRUCTION IN GUADALAJARA, Nat W. Krahl and Harry S. Ransom, June 1966
with a foreword by Carey Croneis, August 1966
Direct requests to Publications, School of Architecture, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77001

©ARCHITECTURE AT RICE, 1966. All contents are the sole possession of the contributors; partial or total

reproduction of the material herein contained is prohibited by law.