The lateral strength of masonry balustraded parapet walls

Abstract

This experimental investigation deals with the study of the lateral strength of masonry balustraded parapet walls built with the use of Globigerina limestone. Local balustraded parapet walls are formed from three major components: the 'sottobank', the balustrades and the 'soprabank'. Their construction principally makes use of adapted variations of the dovetail joint (or 'farfett') for bonding of the soprabank masonry blocks. Since no study has yet been recorded on the strength of these balustrades, which deals exclusively with lateral loading, the performance of the local construction solution is relatively unknown. Even though the use of these balustrades is considered outdated by many, they are still widely employed in construction locally, and remain predominant architectural features on the Maltese Islands. Thus, such a study was deemed appropriate at this stage.