Simple compression test on masonry panels

The test consists in carrying out an on-site uniaxial compression test on a suitably prepared wall panel. The load is applied by a series of high-capacity hydraulic actuators that apply force to a steel or reinforced concrete distribution beam, located above the sample. The contrast to the applied thrust is exerted by a confinement given by a self-contrasting metal frame, consisting of a pair of beams placed above the distribution beam and below the panel being tested. The force is then measured using pressure transducers or load cells, while the deformations of the wall panel are measured with potentiometric transducers of adequate precision, positioned on the two faces of the panel in parallel and orthogonal direction to the applied compression force.

Reference standard: UNI EN 1052-1