Experimental and analytical procedure for the stability assessment of brick masonry veneer walls

In the past, brick masonry veneer walls have been extensively used to construct the external envelope of a wide variety of buildings in different countries around the world. Recently, they have also found application in contemporary building construction. Therefore, these walls are very common in existing buildings. However, brick veneer walls frequently exhibit deficiencies due to poor construction practices or inadequate design. This work presents the most significant investigation methods for identifying such deficiencies. Additionally, it proposes an analytical procedure for assessing the out-of-plane stability of these walls in compliance with the Italian Building Code and the recommendations of UNI EN 1996–1–1:2022. The procedure allows for the easy analysis of masonry walls with openings. Additionally, practical tips for quickly calculating seismic forces on non-structural elements are provided. Then, the proposed procedure and tips are used to assess the masonry veneer walls stability of a recent building with visible damage in the masonry cladding system. The results of the investigation campaign carried out on the veneer walls are provided. The effects of thermal variations on the stability of the masonry veneer walls are also considered. Based on the results of the investigations and analyses, the causes of the damages are identified. To ensure that the brick masonry veneer walls meet the safety requirements prescribed by the standards, interventions are also proposed.