Despite the extensive use of masonry in different types of construction, this material has not been investigated as much as other materials. Results obtained from different sources are general and for each particular use its characteristics have to be determined separately.Although the stress state in masonry is very complex and cannot be easily simulated in experiments, the properties obtained by simple experiments that investigate the basic failure modes of masonry could be used for a more accurate prediction of its non-linear behavior and failure. The outlined extended testing of masonry mechanical properties in plane has been necessary for obtaining the parameters needed for the non-linear numerical analysis of the masonry behavior under in-plane lateral loading. Presented data could be used as initial required values for masonry as used in Croatia. They represent the main input data for any further analysis of masonry buildings made of hollow-clay blocks and they could be used as a good reference for designers, brick industry and masonry builders in Croatia.

Civil engineering