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Stone masonry is a prevalent element in our country, both in civil construction and historical buildings. This immediately highlights the reason why masonry testing plays a crucial role in safety, reinforcement, consolidation, preservation, and restoration activities.
Indeed, masonry testing involves non-destructive testing methods used in structural diagnostics to assess the mechanical characteristics of masonry elements and determine their level of safety.
Through masonry testing, non-destructive testing professionals can gather data and information related to common issues such as deformations, settlements, cracks, and delaminations.
This type of non-destructive investigation also enables the estimation of stress, measurement of deformability, and assessment of the strength of masonry structures.
In this article, we will delve into three specific testing techniques for non-destructive masonry testing: Flat Jack Testing, Sonic Testing, and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) investigations. We will also introduce you to the top tools offered by Novatest for conducting these tests.
Flat Jack Testing in masonry includes two types: Single Flat Jack Testing and Double Flat Jack Testing.
The test conducted with a Single Flat Jack allows for the evaluation of the local stress state in masonry structures, while the Double Flat Jack Testing enables the estimation of deformability and strength.
These tests are performed on a representative portion of the masonry that characterizes the mechanical properties of the entire structure.
Firstly, a cut is made along the surface of the masonry, generating the release of stress and partial closure of the crack. The distance between pairs of symmetric points along the cut is then measured, followed by the insertion of a Flat Jack into the crack, connected to a hydraulic pump. Subsequently, the pump is pressurized to nullify the deformation.
Double Flat Jack Testing involves a second cut and the insertion of a second Flat Jack parallel to the first one. By pressurizing both Flat Jacks using the hydraulic pump, a uniaxial compression is generated in the examined portion of the masonry structure. This compression allows for the determination of compression strength, elastic and deformation moduli, commonly known as the stress-strain curve.
Novatest’s Flat Jack Kit consists of a low-output, single-acting pressure unit connected to a flexible hose with quick coupling joints, along with a high-precision pressure gauge for pressure value visualization.
Novatest’s Flat Jack Kit consists of a low-output, single-acting pressure unit connected to a flexible hose with quick coupling joints, along with a high-precision pressure gauge for pressure value visualization.
Novatest’s Flat Jack Kit consists of a low-output, single-acting pressure unit connected to a flexible hose with quick coupling joints, along with a high-precision pressure gauge for pressure value visualization.
Would you like to learn more about the technical features and benefits of Novatest’s Flat Jack Kit? Request a free consultation now!
Novatest’s Martinetti Piatti (Flat Jacks) product line is designed to meet the specific testing needs associated with different types of masonry. These Flat Jacks are highly deformable and are equipped with hermetic fittings and calibration reports.
Would you like to learn more about the technical features and benefits of Novatest’s Martinetti Piatti product line? Request a free consultation now!
In this article, we have provided a practical and concise guide to the main investigation methods for conducting effective and reliable masonry testing. If you would like to obtain more information about the services and tools that Novatest provides for professionals in this field, please do not hesitate to contact us using the provided form.
Fill out the form with your details specifying what you need in the request type section. Our team is at your disposal to find the best solution to you needs.
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Via Albertini, 36/F8
Gross Ancona
60131 Ancona (AN) - IT
