Stone masonry in historical buildings — Ways to increase their resistance and durability

The paper is devoted to stone masonry structures in view of possible improvement of their dynamic-seismic resistance and durability. Many existing structures and large models were investigated by the authors in the framework of national and international research projects. The investigation of a large stone masonry model, tested on the shaking table, had as main purpose the evaluation of the behaviour of new and rehabilitated masonry structures reinforced with polymer grids produced in the European Union. The test plan consisted of the following parts: tests of individual material properties; seismic tests of a masonry model reinforced with polymer grids inserted horizontally in prescribed bed joints; seismic tests of a masonry model reinforced on parts of a wall surface by vertical polymer grids bonded with fibre-reinforced plaster. The paper presents the selected representative results and synthesis of obtained data. The polymer grids and fibre mortars enhance the seismic resistance of stone masonry structures. They contribute also to the durability of historical and other stone masonry structures, especially in cases of vertical polymer grids combined with fibre lime–cement plaster.