Literature review on the assessment of masonry properties by tests on core samples

Abstract

Starting point in this research is to find a quick and non-destructive method to characterize the mechanical properties of existing masonry. Tests on cylindrical cores have been recently introduced as a novel in-situ testing method to identify the properties of existing clay brick masonry. Currently, some researchers reported promising results, showing that the adopted methodology causes minor damage to the structures and it allows a direct estimation of the mechanical properties. To evaluate the mechanical properties of masonry, cores extracted perpendicular to the surface of a wall are subjected to the splitting tests, by which the compressive and shear properties of the masonry can be estimated. In the first case, previous studies adopted different core configurations (i.e. size and joint pattern) subjected to compressive load. In the second case, cores with only a single bed joint were used. In the literature, the cores
were tested in a way that the bed joint was rotated with respect to its original position. Consequently, a mixed compression–shear stress state is induced at the centre of the mortar joint.