Bend and Break Metselwerk

An extensive overview of current masonry bricks and mortars and a glimpse into the usage of masonry in the past. Details of current masonry construction practices in the Netherlands and worldwide. Strength design of masonry using analytical models. The course also discusses masonry and earthquakes in Groningen, and gives an overview of failure, damage and strengthening strategies for masonry. Emphasis is given to the theory and practice of the construction of masonry arches, with a real-scale practicum of masonry (arch) construction and testing where students get to build, test, and destroy their own masonry specimens.