Execution of slightly-destructive and destructive tests on existing rural masonry buildings

In the assessment of existing constructions for seismic vulnerability, one of the most challenging tasks is the determination of the mechanical properties of the materials. In this paper, results of an experimental campaign on rural masonry buildings are presented. Slightly-destructive and destructive tests were performed with the aim of evaluating the mechanical characteristics of masonry and providing useful indications on the methodologies and testing procedures to be applied in practice. In particular, results from what are termed “shove” tests and splitting tests on cores with inclined mortar joints will be presented and discussed, together with results of diagonal compression and shear-compression destructive tests. The failure modes observed and the parameters obtained from the different experimental tests will be analysed, with the objective of combining and comparing the outputs of the different tests, in order to evaluate the reliability of the proposed techniques.