Compression test on a masonry panel

The uniaxial compression test on a masonry panel involves applying a load to the top of the panel. The load is applied by a series of high capacity hydraulic actuators which apply the force to a steel or reinforced concrete distribution beam located above the specimen. The applied force is counteracted by a self-contracting metal frame consisting of a pair of beams positioned above the beam and below the specimen.
The force is measured by means of pressure transducers or load cells, while the deformations of the wall panel are measured by means of potentiometric transducers of adequate accuracy, placed parallel and orthogonal to the applied compression force on the two faces of the panel.

Reference standard: UNI EN 1052-1