Testing and modeling the diagonal tension strength of rubble stone masonry panels

•Characterization of mechanical behavior of traditional rubble stone masonry.•Experimental evaluation of shear strength via diagonal compression test.•Additional numerical analyses are performed to simulate the panels’ behavior.•Analyses performed with both nonlinear finite element and distinct element models.

The present paper deals with the experimental study performed by diagonal compression tests on four rubble stone masonry panels (120 cm × 120 cm × 70 cm) within the scope of the research project SEVERES aiming at characterizing the seismic behavior of old masonry buildings. In this research two types of mortar were used, namely two specimens were built with hydraulic lime and other two specimens were built with air lime mortar. The shear strength and the shear modulus of rubble stone panels were obtained. These results were compared with the values obtained by other authors and suggested by the Italian’s standards. It is important to refer that the experimental research allowed characterizing the mechanical properties of masonry panels, which were built using traditional techniques in order to simulate old buildings in Portugal. Together with the experimental research, (additionally) numerical interpretation of the tests is also given in order to simulate the behavior of the panels.