Shear resistance of spandrels in ancient brick masonry buildings

The paper presents the main outcomes of experimental tests carried out to analyze the structural behaviour of masonry spandrels. They play a significant role in walls of existing unreinforced masonry buildings, as they guarantee an effective coupling between adjacent masonry piers so as to assure high in-plane strength and stiffness for the walls. The main aim of the research is to point out the actual response of such structural components under seismic loads. Two brick spandrels with different lintels are considered in the study, they have been subjected to a controlled vertical displacement history so as to simulate their response under seismic actions. Moreover the effectiveness of two strengthening interventions for spandrels that consider the coupling of masonry beams either with steel ties or with steel angles has been pointed out. The results achieved make up for the lack of experimental data on the behaviour of these structural elements and constitute a valid reference to calibrate nonlinear numerical models for the assessment of the unreinforced masonry buildings seismic performance.