ABSTRACT
The flatjack technique is a solution used to evaluate masonry structures. It is a non-destructive technique which allows obtaining real in situ structural properties, with efficiency and precision to test masonry structures made with solid units, as stones or bricks. This chapter presents the development process of new flatjacks for hollow blocks. Prototype models explore the ideas of testing only one face shell or both face shells. Flatjack is a non-destructive technique usually used in masonry walls made with bricks, stones or other solid unit, as part of a structural evaluation. S. Parivallal et al. indicates that the flatjack technique is the most used method among the non-destructive possibilities for assessing masonry mechanical characteristics. When assessing modern masonry, the studied technique has many advantages over destructive ones, such as not having the need of samples removal, which has the danger of damaging both the structure and the samples.
