ABSTRACT
This chapter shows the results of an experimental program conducted on reinforced small masonry specimens made of five fired clay bricks and four cement-based mortar joints. The specimens are reinforced inserting twisted steel bars in the mortar joints and are subjected to a purposely designed splitting test. The specimens are able again to sustain load, even if with a lower value of stiffness and, correspondingly, a large increase in the horizontal displacement is verified. Comparing the light grey curve related to the unreinforced specimen with the dashed dark grey and black ones referred to reinforced specimens, it can be noted that in the initial part of the diagram, the three curves show a similar slope. Specimens were reinforced inserting in the mortar joints steel stainless helifix bars. An ad hoc splitting test was employed to induce in the specimens the propagation of the main crack.
