A contribution to the characterization of masonry typologies by using sonic waves investigations

The sonic pulse velocity method is used for preliminarily investigations on several masonry structures, characterized by different typologies (stone, clay bricks) and quality of materials (rubble, ashlars, regular, inhomogeneous combinations, etc..). In the paper, the elaboration of results of over ten different historical contexts and their possible comparisons allowed to qualify the related typologies on the basis of the elaborated sonic velocities. Both direct and indirect tests are taken into account, as well as tomographic evaluations, to clarify specific constructive aspects of typical historic masonry structures. Results are useful to provide materials specification in the subsequent assessment analyses, by calibrating structural models and in the phase of interventions choice and effectiveness evaluations.