Dry Stone Masonry Walls in Bending – Part I: Static Tests

A series of static 1:5-scale tests on dry-stack stone masonry walls were performed with the main objective to verify existing analytical expressions for the computation of the resistance to horizontal loading proportional to the self-weight of masonry. The resistance is expressed by means of a collapse load multiplier, and the experiments were conceived to reproduce various out-of-plane bending failure mechanisms using an inclined plane machine built with steel profiles and with an aluminium platform. The collapse multiplier was calculated from the inclination angle of the platform that caused collapse. Since the walls were constructed without mortar, the shear strength along the joints was given purely by friction. The “bricks” were cut from marble – the selection criteria being the accuracy for the cutting, the hardness and durability of the material, and an appropriate friction coefficient. In total, 42 configurations were tested, varying the length of the walls, the presence and position of openings, the staggering ratio, the quality of the connection between walls, the existence of vertical overburden loads in the walls, and the number of stories. The test results are presented in terms of the measured collapse load multipliers and detailed descriptions of the associated collapse mechanisms.