Tube-jack testing: Semi-irregular masonry wall testing

Abstract

Tube-jack testing is an enhanced non-destructive or minimally-destructive testing technique being developed to determine the state of stress in, and the deformability characteristics of, unreinforced masonry. This test is similar to traditional flat-jack testing, used for the same purpose. Instead of using flat-jacks, the tubejack system consists of several cylindrical jacks inserted into roughly aligned holes drilled in the mortar joints, forming an equivalent flat-jack, that can pressurize the masonry. In previous Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions Conferences, the development of this method has been presented. In this paper, testing in a masonry wall with a semi-irregular typology is presented. Two single tube-jack tests were performed to try to determine the level of stress in the masonry and one double tube-jack test was performed to estimate the deformability characteristics of the masonry. These tests are presented along with comparisons to traditional flat-jack tests performed in the same wall.

Tube-Jack Testing for Irregular Masonry Walls: Regular Masonry Wall Testing

“…The results showed that the tube-jack test produced a more even stress distribution in the wall and obtained a reasonably accurate estimation of the compressive stress in the wall, thus providing a numerical validation of the method. Initial prototype development and testing was performed by Ramos et al [3] and Manning et al [7]. This development included the construction and testing of PVC, rubber and latex tube-jacks, initial testing of the tube-jacks in a twoblock specimen, and testing of fabric socks to confine the expansion of the tube material.…”