In-plane lateral cyclic behaviour of lime-mortar and clay-brick masonry walls in dry and wet conditions

Abstract This paper presents an experimental investigation into the structural and material response of ambient-dry wet clay-brick/lime-mortar masonry elements. In addition to cyclic tests on four large-scale walls subjected lateral in-plane displacement co-existing compressive gravity load, study also includes complementary square panels under diagonal compression cylindrical cores in compression. After describing specimen details, wetting method testing arrangements, main results observations are provided discussed. The obtained from full-field digital image correlation measurements enable a detailed assessment shear-compression strength envelope, permit direct comparison with characteristics walls. full load-deformation behaviour is evaluated, including their ductility failure modes, compared predictions available models. It shown that moisture has notable effect properties, shear strengths, brick–mortar interaction parameters, elastic moduli. extent effects function governing as well between precompression stresses, can lead loss more than third stiffness strength. For large scale wall specimens loading compression, wet-to-dry reduction was found be up 20% 11% terms strength, respectively, whilst ratio diminished by 12%. Overall, key moisture-dependent properties appropriately it analytical methods reliably adapted for predicting response, stiffness, overall load-deformation, both dry