Interface‑Controlled Shear Behavior of Masonry: Insights from a Database of Triplet Tests
- Authors
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- Keywords:
- Masonry Shear Behavior, Triplet Shear Test, Mortar–Brick Interface, Cohesion and Friction, Data‑Driven Analysis
- Abstract
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The shear behavior of masonry bed joints governs the structural response of masonry assemblies under lateral loading yet remains difficult to predict due to material heterogeneity and interface-controlled mechanisms. Despite the prevalence of triplet shear tests in characterizing joint behavior, existing models frequently employ oversimplified assumptions, most notably a single linear Mohr–Coulomb failure envelope calibrated from limited parameters. This study addresses these limitations through a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of masonry shear behavior based on a harmonized literature database. A total of 183 masonry triplet shear tests were collected from published studies. The dataset under consideration is extensive, encompassing a broad array of masonry units, mortar types, mixture proportions, and interface conditions. A series of statistical correlation analyses were conducted to ascertain the relationships between brick-and-mortar compressive strengths, mortar composition, and the shear parameters of cohesion and friction. The analysis was restricted to monotonic loading conditions. The findings indicate that compressive strength parameters demonstrate a weak or negligible correlation with shear properties. Conversely, the composition of mortar, particularly the proportion of sand to binder, exerts a predominant influence on friction control. Furthermore, the findings indicated that cohesion and friction exhibited significant independence, thereby underscoring the multifaceted mechanisms underlying masonry shear resistance. The regression and nearest neighbor predictive approaches were validated against independent experimental datasets covering weak to strong masonry systems, successfully reproducing observed trends and behavioral hierarchies. The findings indicate that the Mohr–Coulomb envelope model does not adequately capture the behavior of masonry shear. This highlights the necessity for data-driven modeling strategies that are tailored to specific interfaces..
- References
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- 2026-05-22
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The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Copyright (c) 2026 YOUSRA OULED ABDELKADER, George Wardeh, Hanaa FARES, Firas AL-MAHMOUD
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