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Prototype and model masonry behaviour under different loading conditions

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to systematically determine the effect of scale on masonry structural behaviour under various loading conditions. Small scale models have been employed to understand masonry structural behaviour over the years, because testing prototype masonry structures is both costly and challenging to undertake in a controlled laboratory environment. A programme of tests have been carried out at four scales namely prototype, half, fourth and sixth scale under five different loading conditions; compression, shear, diagonal tension, flexure and bond tension, with a view to understanding how each of these conditions affects masonry structural behaviour over the range of scales enumerated. The results show that scale or size effect is mostly pronounced in the masonry compressive strength.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil Engineering Department, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, PMB 0248, Bauchi State, Nigeria

    A. Mohammed

  2. Civil Engineering, Cardiff School of Engineering, Cardiff, CF24 0YF, UK

    T. G. Hughes

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  1. A. Mohammed
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  2. T. G. Hughes
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Correspondence to A. Mohammed.

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Mohammed, A., Hughes, T.G. Prototype and model masonry behaviour under different loading conditions. Mater Struct 44, 53–65 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-010-9608-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-010-9608-6

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