Experimental Tests on Rubble Masonry Specimens – Diagonal Compression , Triplet and Compression Tests

Aiming to characterize the seismic behavior of old masonry buildings in Lisbon some experimental tests were performed within the scope of a Portuguese national research project, the called Seismic Vulnerability of Old Masonry Buildings (www.severes.org). In this paper the diagonal compression tests, triplet tests and compression tests performed are described and the results obtained presented. Depending on the type of tests carried out, different dimensions of masonry specimens were adopted and, for all of the tests, two different types of mortar, hydraulic and air lime mortar were considered. Based on the results obtained it was possible to assess different masonry characteristics, namely: i) shear strength of masonry via diagonal compression test, ii) initial shear strength and coefficient of friction by performing triplet test, and iii) compressive strength and Young modulus of elasticity through compression test. Moreover, for all tests, load-displacement diagrams and expected collapse mechanism are presented.