Compressive strength of brick masonry in existing buildings—research on samples cut from the structures

This chapter presents results of tests carried out on samples cut from brick masonry structures built with lime and cement-lime mortars in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It explores presents investigation of columns and core samples cut from masonry wall structures. Compressive strength is one of the basic parameters necessary for the analysis of the bearing capacity of existing masonry structures and assessment of their safety. In order to determine the compressive strength of masonry, a number of methods are applied. Research on masonry samples cut from structure is one of the methods to determine compressive strength of brick masonry in existing buildings. The method of evaluating masonry compressive strength based on tests performed on samples cut with core drills can be classified as a low-destructive one. This method enables, subject to correct scheduling and accomplishment of the research, obtaining reliable values of masonry compressive strength.