Estimates for the stiffness, strength and drift capacity of stone masonry walls based on 123 quasi-static cyclic tests reported in the literature

Abstract

This paper summarises 123 existing quasi-static shear–compression tests on stone masonry walls and evaluates the results to provide the input required for the displacement-based assessment of stone masonry buildings. Based on the collected data, existing criteria for estimating lateral strength and stiffness of stone masonry walls are reviewed and improvements proposed. The drift capacity of stone masonry walls is evaluated at six different limit states that characterise the response from the onset of cracking to the collapse of the wall. To provide input data for probabilistic assessments of stone masonry buildings, not only median values but also the corresponding coefficients of variation are determined. In addition, analytical expressions that estimate the ultimate drift capacity either as a function of masonry typology and failure mode or as a function of masonry typology, shear span and axial load ratio are proposed. The paper provides also estimates of the uncertainty related to the natural variability of stone masonry by analysing repeated tests and investigates the effect of mortar injections and the effect of the loading history (monotonic vs cyclic) on stiffness, strength and drift capacities. The data set is made publicly available.