COMPRESSION AND SONIC TESTS TO ASSESS EFFECTIVENESS OF GROUT INJECTION ON THREE-LEAF STONE MASONRY WALLS

The results of an experimental campaign on multi-leaf stone masonry panels (scales 1:1 and 2:3), in original conditions and after consolidation with natural hydraulic lime grout injection are presented. The specimens were constructed with one of the most common structural techniques, widely employed on minor historical buildings throughout Europe. Experimental research included a series of destructive (DT) monotonic and cyclic uni-axial compression tests on three-leaf and single-leaf stone masonry panels. Mechanical tests were complemented by non-destructive tests (NDT) on the walls before and after strengthening. Both NDT and DT allowed assessment of the effectiveness of grout injection as a consolidation technique and gave better insights on its influence on the behavior of this type of masonry. An attempt to establish a relation between sonic velocity and mechanical parameters for this specific type of masonry was also carried out.