In situ free-vibration tests on unrestrained and restrained rocking masonry walls
In the out-of-plane assessment of rocking walls, a relevant and yet uncertain aspect is the influence of energy dissipated during motion due to impacts and restraints, such as a floor or tie rods. Therefore, in situ rocking tests on unrestrained and restrained unreinforced masonry walls, made of composite (rubble + blockwork) masonry, were performed and analyzed. The restraint is given by steel springs of assigned stiffness, simulating a floor connected to full-scale (4 × 1 × 0.6 m3) specimens from a dismantling building.