Enhancement of historical masonry: case studies in Mendoza, Argentina

Abstract

Cooked ceramic masonry has been used in America since the mid-19th century, which are currently part of the local cultural heritage. The permanence in time is a product of its construction technology, quality of materials and maintenance, in addition to the effect of earthquakes. Detailed inspection results are presented of five ceramic masonry constructions of heritage value with different pathologies that require different enhancement technologies in the area of greatest seismic risk in Argentina.

The study methodology used for the rehabilitation proposals includes finite element modeling, which requires performance parameters of masonry and mortars to understand the underlying pathologies obtained from laboratory tests and on-site monitoring. The enhancement must consider that there is no incompatibility of materials applying local technologies.