Compressive Tests of Historical Brick Masonry – Case Study of the Archduke Rudolf Caserns Buildings in Cracow

ABSTRACT

This paper presents an experimental study on masonry columns and core samples extracted from the structures of buildings erected in a historical caserns complex in Cracow. The samples were cut out from masonry made of clay bricks and various types of mortars. Samples from masonry with low-strength lime mortars were also extracted. The original historical masonry materials were tested under compression. The strength test results were compared with mechanical characteristics of masonry obtained from formulas given in Eurocode 6. Experimental formulas for determining the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of historical masonry were proposed. The paper also discusses the tests on masonry core samples. This minor destructive technique is useful for historical buildings where cutting out large dimension samples are not allowed. The methods of preparation of cylindrical samples and interpretation of tests results are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Brick masonry
• compressive strength
• core samples
• historical buildings
• modulus of elasticity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.