Pombalino Constructions: Description and Seismic Assessment

Abstract

Clay brick is among the oldest used masonry materials. Given the technological evolutions since the industrial revolutions, old brick are much different from todays’ bricks. This chapter provides a review on the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of mortar, brick and masonry. In addition, a discussion on the possible causes of damage and the usage of expert systems in building diagnostics is also given.