The entire laboratory activity involved in this research project aims to analyze the structural contribution, in terms of strength, that the masonry walls may give to a reinforced concrete frame.

The tests will occur in the Laboratory of Structures located in the Department of Civil Engineering of IST.

Four full-scale frames of reinforced concrete will be tested. The construction process was the responsibility of VAMARO, Construction, SA. It is a company based in the Lisbon that operates in the area of new construction, remodeling, repair, conservation and demolition of buildings. All the construction works were supervised by the research team allocated to the project.

The frames will present different constructive setups: traditional masonry; masonry with reinforced plaster and structural masonry.

A vertical force will be applied in the structure and the behavior of the frames will be analyzed using data registered through previously installed monitoring equipment. That will allow the research team to understand the structural behavior of the frames under the influence of that vertical force.

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

STRAIN GAGES