Acquiring reference parameters of masonry for the structural performance analysis of historical buildings

The structural performance of historical masonry elements can be understood provided the following factors are known: geometry; the characteristics of its masonry texture and morphology, state of damage and decay, physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics of the components (units, infill, mortar); the characteristics of built masonry as a composite material. In order to quantify the mechanical properties of the masonry both laboratory and in-situ tests are required. However, in the case of cultural heritage assets, the setting up of an effective knowledge procedure is strictly related to the minimization of invasiveness on the structure, with the aim of its conservation, rather than the cost–benefit optimization: thus it is essential to have available reference parameters to be adopted for different masonry types. Within this context, this State-of-the-Art paper on this topic is organized with integrated outcomes from the test campaigns carried out through the PERPETUATE project, that are also briefly presented. Reference parameters for effective seismic assessment are provided both for brick and stone masonry together with their upper and lower bound values for both mechanical parameters and damage limits for which proper limit states (LS) may be associated. Apart from the LS for structural elements (SE), the relevant LS’s for artistic assets attached to the SE are also presented in this paper.