ENhancing state-dependent FRAGility through experimentally validated Energy-Based Approaches (ERIES-ENFRAG)

The ERIES-ENFRAG project is taking as starting reference the results of a study coming from a past experimental campaign conducted at Eucentre Foundation in 2021 which results of the in-plane and out-of-plane tests are freely shared in https://experiments.builtenvdata.eu/datasets/43/ and presented  by Morandi, P., Kurukulasuriya, M., Milanesi, R.R., Bolognini, D., Grottoli, L., Dacarro, F. and Magenes, G., 2025. Dynamic shaking table out-of-plane tests on weak masonry infills with and without previous in-plane loading. Journal of Building Engineering, 100, p.111670.

The present experimental campaign has focused on the application of different loading procedures to provide validated data to be compared with the tests of 2021 in order to study from an energetic point of view the seismic response of masonry infills subjected to in-plane cyclic and out-of-plane dynamic loadings. The ERIES-ENFRAG experimental campaign has been conducted on three specimens previously tested in-plane and subsequently out-of-plane. Complementary tests to characterize the mechanical behaviour of the masonry have been performed to define the vertical, horizontal and diagonal compression resistance of the masonry, the initial shear strength of the bed-joints and the flexural resistance of the masonry.

The infilled frames were constructed at full scale and have a net masonry panel dimension of 3.50 m in length and 2.75 m in height. The infill panels are plastered on one side with a thickness of approximately 10 mm and have been constructed in complete adherence (four boundary conditions) respect to the frame. The materials selected and the construction details adopted for the specimens aims to represent an existing construction built between the 1960s and the 1980s. Masonry units are "12x25x25” hollowed clay (nominal thickness of 12 cm), with 3 rows of holes across the width and 5 rows of holes along the height, resulting in a perforation percentage of approximately 65% and a cementitious low quality mortar. The construction process and material selection replicate the one of the reference experimental campaign (Morandi et al., 2025).

The experimental campaign of the ERIES-ENFRAG project was carried out at the EUCENTRE-IUSS Research infrastructure, within the framework of ERIES project (Engineering Research Infrastructures for European Synergies). ERIES is funded by the European Commission's Horizon Europe program, it is coordinated by the Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS in Pavia, has a budget of €11.6 million and has a four-year duration, from 2022 to 2026. ERIES aims to provide transnational access to advanced research infrastructures in structural, seismic, wind, and geotechnical engineering. The project seeks to enhance resilience against natural hazards such as earthquakes and extreme winds by fostering innovative and sustainable solutions to mitigate economic losses and social disruptions. Additionally, it develops new technical standards and methodologies to improve infrastructure safety and supports frontier research through international collaboration.