ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the results of a new experimental campaign on H-shaped specimens made up in homogeneous material and reinforced with steel elements. A new experimental campaign was carried out on H-specimens made of homogeneous material and reinforced with steel elements in order to verify the possibility of avoiding the brittle diagonal failure which is associated with a ductile behavior of the spandrel. During the experimental activity some H-shaped specimens on scale down were made up both of homogeneous materials and ordinary masonry. The seismic capacity of unrein-forced masonry buildings, which have effective connections among walls and floors in such a way overturning mechanisms are not allowed, is closely related to strength and deform- ability of the walls in own plane. The structural characteristics of masonry spandrels and piers significantly influence the wall behavior. More specifically the spandrels play an important role in both resistance and deformability of the wall.
