KUBICA, JAN 1

1) Full Professor, Silesian University of Technology, Department of Structural Engineering, jan.kubica@polsl.pl

Experimental determination of mechanical properties of masonry should be based on set of standards (e.g. European standards) and other requirements. Especially, in case of shear strength of masonry, situation is still not so clear. For design calculations the suitable value of shear strength of masonry can be taken from Eurocode 6 (exactly from National Annex) where it was determined based on the “triplet test” according to EN 1052-3 regulations. But how this value corresponding with the shear strength of masonry in real construction?

The problem of correct determination of shear strength of masonry was discussed, among other, during “Workshop on shearing” organised before 8th IMC held in Dresden 2010, where the “triplet test” method was strongly criticised.

Author, on the basis of results of tests carried out according to the following standards: EN 1052-3, RILEM LUMB6 and not standardised methods based on wallettes’ specimens’ has presented and critically discussed the problem of influence of size and shape of the test specimens as well as the method of loading generating shear stresses (parallel or perpendicular to bed joints) on shear strength of clay solid brick masonry made of cement-lime (1 : 1 : 6) and AAC block masonry with bed thin joints and not filled head joints.

Keywords: clay brick masonry; AAC blocks; shear strength; shape effect; size effect