Mechanical behaviour of old masonry may differ from the theoretical one to a great extent, hence it needs to be properly evaluated for quantifying the safety and serviceability of real structures, in view of their rehabilitation and/or seismic reliability assessment. Among the factors affecting such behaviour, the presence of moisture, mainly from rising damp, plays a key role in the deteriorat...

The purpose of this research program is to investigate the dynamic failure properties of an unreinforced masonry panel under controlled dynamic loading conditions. This rig design is based on the classic diamond loading pattern. It is designed to achieve a uniform stress over the central area of the panel. The aim of the measurements will be to measure the rate of damage evolution in an inital ...

The majority of the building-stock from before 1900 has been erected with natural hydraulic lime-based mortars in massive masonry. Due to the low modulus of elasticity of lime-based mortars there has never been a need for dilation joints in old masonry structures. Changes in shape as a result of expansion and contraction, due to hot/cold cycles, could be “followed” by these masonry structures w...

ABSTRACT: This paper explores the behavior of infill masonry structures strengthened with a new type of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) strengthening system with high fracture strain know as PET (Polyethylene Teraphthalate) and a new near-surface mounted (NSM) Carbon fiber strengthening system using a cementitious material as the adhesive as compared to a Glass Fiber (GFRP) strengthening system ...

Masonry structures are complex systems that require a thorough and detailed knowledge and information regarding their behaviour under seismic excitations. Appropriate modelling of a masonry structure is a prerequisite for a reliable earthquake resistant design or assessment. However, modelling a real structure to a robust quantitative (mathematical) representation is a very difficult, complex a...

In unreinforced masonry walls, failure due to out -of-plane bending causes the majority of the material damages and loss of human life. Therefore, the development of effective strengthening techniques needs to be addressed. Near-surface mounted (NSM) FRP rods are now emerging as a promising technique for increasing flexural and shear strength of structural members. The aim of this research prog...

In the strengthening interventions of past and historical masonry constructions, the non-standardized manufacture processes, the ageing and the damage of masonry units, could significantly affect the properties of the surfaces where strengthening materials are applied. This aspect requires particular care in evaluating the performance of externally bonded strengthening layers, especially with r...

In this paper a Romanesque masonry church is analysed in order to assess its structural behaviour and its seismic vulnerability with respect to the actual state of conservation. Starting from a specific case study, a contribution to the issue of modelling and analysis of monumental masonry buildings under seismic action is provided. A finite element methodology for the static and dynamic nonlin...