Author
O.I. PONOMAREV and A.V. SHAMPUROV TSNIIK, Moscow

Abstract
The reconstruction and restoration of many architectural monuments and old masonry buildings in the centre of Moscow and in other Russian towns requires a reasonably accurate determination of masonry strength. Because of the great variety of masonry wall products and mortars used and extreme heterogeneity of the masonry of old buildings reliable methods for masonry strength estimation which do not destroy the structure, have not been devised until now. The paper analyses the effectiveness of such methods for assessing the technical condition of masonry and its strength. Special attention is paid to methods based on the principles of acoustic emission. The results of the application of these methods in the examination of Stary Gostiny Dvor and the technical condition of laboratory samples are presented here. Recommendations on the rational use of acoustic methods for brick and block masonry strength evaluation have been worked out.