Author
A. PIEKARCZYK and J. KUBICA
Silesian University of Technology

Abstract
The results of comparative investigations of reinforced and unreinforced masonry walls subjected to shearing perpendicular to the bed joints are presented in this paper. The main aim of tests was the determination of the influence of smooth reinforcement, placed in horizontal bed joints, on tangential stress levels at the moment of cracking, maximum shearing stress at the moment of masonry failure and Kirchhof’s modulus for vertically sheared masonry walls. The results of investigations have shown that applied reinforcement, with the tested reinforcement ratio, has not affected or has an insignificant affect on the above-mentioned mechanical parameters.