Author
MIRANDA, L. and RIO, J. and GUEDES, J
Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto, Civil Engineering Dept.
COSTA, A.
University of Aveiro, Civil Engineering Dept.

Abstract
Non-destructive testing for the evaluation of the mechanical and physical characteristics of masonry walls is an area under constant development. In this work the authors use elastic wave propagation technology to characterize stone masonry walls. The test programme included direct and indirect sonic and ultrasonic tests on stones and on an one-leaf granite masonry wall. P and R wave velocities were measured and both were used to compute the Young´s modulus of discrete stone blocks and of the stone masonry wall. These values were compared to the results obtained using other techniques, namely: flat-jacks in situ and compression laboratory tests.

Key words
masonry walls, Young´s modulus, NDT, elastic waves, sonic tests, impact-echo, ultrasound