ABSTRACT
On-site surveys and tests, especially non-destructive or minimally invasive, are recommended for a correct diagnosis of historic masonry structures. This chapter presents a laboratory experience of sampling and double punch testing on hydraulic lime mortar joints extracted from new and artificially aged brick masonry specimens in order to evaluate the feasibility of the method. It aims to evaluate the feasibility of the sampling technique in the case of salt-decayed masonry and to evaluate the actual effectiveness of the on-purpose designed ageing tests. Italian construction technical law indicates that mechanical properties, like the compressive strength and the modulus of elasticity, are estimated starting from the values of the characteristic mechanical properties of the masonry materials, that is, bricks and mortars. The bricks were mechanically separated, than the bed joints were further separated from the brick units by using a spatula or a scalpel with fine tip and a hammer with rubber tip.
