1 Senior Scientist, ETH Zurich, Institute of Structural Engineering, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland, mojsilovic@ibk.baug.ethz.ch
2 Structural Testing Manager, School of Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW, 2308, Australia, goran.simundic@newcastle.edu.au
3 Professor Emeritus, School of Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW, 2308, Australia, Adrian.Page@newcastle.edu.au
ABSTRACT
A joint research project between ETH Zurich and University of Newcastle on the shear behaviour of masonry elements (triplets) with damp-proof course (DPC) membrane placed in the bed joints is underway. The main goal of the research project is to investigate the influence of DPC on masonry behaviour under static-cyclic shear load and to assess the shear mechanical characteristics. Load tests on four series of masonry triplets have been completed. The specimens consisted of three bricks and two bed joints with the DPC membrane being placed in the middle of the bed joints (Series A) or between the bed joints and the brick unit (Series B). For the test series typical Australian extruded clay bricks and embossed polythene DPC membrane have been used. Each series consisted of 9 specimens and a standard cement-lime mortar has been used to produce 10 mm thick bed joints. After at least 28 days of curing time the specimens were firstly subjected to a given pre-compression load and subsequently subjected to the cyclic shear load which was applied using computer controlled displacement steps. Each step was repeated twice in the form of a sinusoidal wave. Three different levels of pre-compression were considered (0.2 MPa, 0.6 MPa and 1.0 MPa) and for each level and for each specimen of both series A and B three replicates were tested. In addition, two Series, C and D (each consisted of three specimens), which corresponded to Series A and B, respectively, were tested under static loading. This paper presents preliminary results and discusses their significance in relation to current design practice.
KEYWORDS: clay brick, damp-proof course, shear, static-cyclic tests, unreinforced masonry
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