Experimental behavior of single and double masonry panels

In this paper, the results of the experimental tests, carried out at the Laboratory on Materials and Structures of the University of Roma Tre to characterize masonry panels behavior are shown and discussed. 36 single and 12 double panels have been considered: 12 single panels are made of 80160330 mm3 bricks with horizontal holes, 24 of 120250120 mm3 half-full bricks with vertical holes and two different mortars and 12 double panels coupling the two previous types of simple panels. The panels have been built with a level of accuracy similar to the one adopted in buildings therefore they are well done but not lacking some defects that unavoidably would be found in real constructive practice. Compression tests in horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions were performed to evaluate their “constitutive relationships” in term of force-displacement diagrams and in particular their strength and elastic modulus. Experimental tests also included the characterization of the bricks and of the mortar used to realize the panels.