Mechanical testing in adobe bricks and earthen mortar from the archaeological complex of Huaca de la Luna in Perú

This article presents the mechanical tests carried out in the components of the structural system of one of the most emblematic earthen archaeological complex in Peru, ‘Huaca de la Luna’ (100– 650 AD.). Original adobe units and pieces of earthen mortar from the monument were transported to the structural laboratory at PUCP where compression and three point bending tests were carried out. These tests were displacement-controlled and the deformations were registered using a digital image correlation equipment, which allowed a deep understanding of the mechanical behavior of the material. The obtained results provided consistent information of the compression properties, flexural resistance of adobes and mortar, and cracking evolution. The information found in this research represents a valuable contribution for further studies aiming at the preservation and restoration of the monument. This work also represents an important progress for the structural and seismic assessment of earthen archaeological buildings.