An in situ diagonal compression test for brick walls with displacement control on the two external layers

Present paper presents the technical specifications of an experimental equipment able to perform an in situ diagonal compression test on a masonry specimen with displacement control. It is, therefore, capable to evaluate ductility behaviour also after the peak load. In addition, the equipment is capable to evaluate the different mechanical behaviour of a masonry specimen made of two external layers and a central core with different mechanical characteristics. The application of that equipment is described with reference to a couple of masonry specimens located in an historical building, Palazzo Paone, at L'Aquila.