Experimental Characterization of Masonry Walls Subjected To In-Plane and Out-Of-Plane Loadings – Challenges and Main Features for the Future

Abstract eng:
The masonry construction is one of oldest construction techniques and more used in all over the world. However, the structural response of masonry structures is complex and the knowledge concerning to their response to seismic events, or even regarding to their mechanical behaviour is still limited. An increasing interest on the experimental testing of this type of structures, particularly in the masonry walls performance, has been observed during the last years, to support better understanding of structural behaviour under earthquake loading, with emphasis on numerical model calibration, development of efficient techniques for seismic protection and/or resilience improvement of such type of structural elements. In the Laboratory of Earthquake and Structural Engineering (LESE) of the Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto a large experimental campaign was conducted during the last decade to characterize the seismic response of masonry walls. The out-of-plane response characterization of different type of masonry walls was performed by performing tests by applying distributed or point out-of-plane loadings such through the use of airbags or even by a hydraulic actuator. Furthermore, in-situ experimental tests were performed in existing stone masonry walls in existing buildings in Azores. The in-plane behaviour characterization of this type of structural elements was also performed, as also the compression capacity of the masonry walls. The tests setups will be described along the manuscript as also the advantages, problems, limitations and improvement perspectives associated with testing schemes layouts.

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