Compressive strength of solid clay brick masonry: calibration of experimental tests and theoretical issues

The assessment procedures for masonry structures ask for (at least) the compressive strength of the material to be defined. Several theoretical approaches, based on the characteristics of bricks and mortar, and experimental techniques are available, but only a comprehensive approach allows a rational definition of the material strength. In this paper, the calibration of two procedures, Schmidt Hammer tests for a first level evaluation of masonry strength and compressive tests on large diameter cylinders drilled from brickwork, is discussed. While the error of the first technique appears to be quite relevant, the latter MDT approach seems to be promising provided the data base for calibration is large enough.