Shaking Table Testing of an Unstrengthened and Strengthened with Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) Full-Scale Masonry Cross Vault

This article presents the results of the LNEC-3D shaking table tests on a full-scale masonry cross vault without and with the textile reinforced mortar used as strengthening solution. The specimen has been tested in the scope of the European project SERA. TA 07 "Seismic Response of Masonry Cross Vaults: Shaking table tests and numerical validations". The specimen replicates a generic cross-section of a central bay located in a lateral nave of a three-nave church, derived from the intersection of two semi-circular barrel vaults with low rise. It is representative of a generic monumental church in Central Italy, generated by a squared base groin vault with a net span of 3.13 m and 1.13 m rise at full scale. A unidirectional seismic action is applied to develop shear damage in the shell of the vault. A detailed description of the two tests and the conclusions are presented. The response is evaluated based on the displacements, damage, and collapse mechanisms developed as a function of an increasing intensity earthquake testing protocol, in which a pre-processed strong ground motion component of the L'Aquila (Italy) earthquake (April 6, 2009) was used.