Synopsis:
The seminar explores the distinctive structural behaviour of historic masonry, a material that differs significantly from modern construction materials.
Unlike concrete or steel, historic masonry exhibits negligible tensile strength, is non-isotropic and non-homogeneous, and encompasses a wide variety of typologies and textures with substantial variability in mechanical properties.
Assessing the structural performance of such materials poses major challenges. On-site testing is often complex and costly, while most laboratory or non-destructive tests can only provide indirect information about the masonry’s true mechanical behaviour.
The presentation addresses these difficulties from the perspective of structural engineers engaged in the assessment and retrofit of historic structures, highlighting appropriate methodologies, limitations, and best practices.
In addition, the talk considers the regulatory and conservation context, noting that many historic masonry buildings are listed structures, for which specific guidelines and requirements set by conservation bodies must be carefully followed.
About the Speaker:
Professor Marco Corradi is Head of Civil Engineering and Professor of Structural Engineering in the Engineering and Technology, at the University of Huddersfield. He holds a PhD in Seismic Reinforcement of Masonry from the University of Perugia, Italy.
He has over 20 years of experience directing structural laboratories and conducting experimental research on the structural behaviour of civil and construction materials. His research focuses on the structural behaviour and retrofitting of historic masonry and timber structures, advanced and natural fibre composites, and the long-term performance of construction materials. Before joining Huddersfield, he held academic positions at the University of Perugia and Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Professor Corradi has published extensively, with more than 280 papers and several books, and serves on the editorial boards of several international journals, including ASCE journals and Construction and Building Materials (Elsevier) where is an editor.
