Investigation of the Shear-Sliding Behavior of Masonry Through Shove Test: Experimental and Numerical Studies

To assess the shear properties of masonry for existing buildings, the shove test method proposed by ASTM C1531 can be carried out, in which the load required to slide a single brick with respect to the surrounding masonry is measured. To control the vertical stress-state on the tested brick, two flat-jacks can be inserted in mortar bed joints in close proximity of it, thus prescribing a predefined level of compression. Although this test seems straightforward, uncertainties have not been resolved yet regarding the actual vertical compressive stress present on the tested brick and the effect of dilatancy. To gain a better insight into the shear-sliding behavior of masonry during the shove test, both experimental tests and numerical simulations were considered in the current research. To analyze these aspects and to precisely define a testing protocol, the experimental tests were performed in a controlled laboratory environment on a single wythe calcium silicate brick masonry wall. In parallel, numerical analyses were carried out using a simplified micro-modeling strategy, in which every brick was modelled, and the mortar joints were considered as zero-thickness interfaces. A composite interface model was used, including a tension cut-off, a Coulomb friction domain and a compressive cap. For the analyzed case study, the numerical results allowed to gain a better understanding of the aspects influencing the shear-sliding behavior of masonry during the shove test.