ABSTRACT
The analysis of unreinforced masonry shear walls should base on values of proper determined main mechanical properties of masonry. The chapter explores the results and analysis of the behaviour of small masonry wallettes made of clay solid bricks and general purpose cement-lime mortar, subjected to shearing in both orthogonal directions. There are two main types of shear loading directions: perpendicular to the bed joints—corresponding to shear walls in buildings subjected to irregular vertical deformations, and parallel to bed joints—corresponding to shear walls against wind action. Small masonry wallettes were subjected to shearing in direction perpendicular or parallel, with and without vertical precompression. The chapter presents the experimental investigations were performed on two types of masonry small wallettes made of clay solid bricks and the most popular and wide use, general purpose cement-lime mortar. Masonry wallettes were prepared outside the test stand by professional bricklayers and fixed with steel elements of the test stand using concrete.
