The mechanical behaviour of unreinforced and reinforced masonry spandrels is
studied, using the results of several experimental tests carried out on H-shaped full-scale specimens.
In particular, four unreinforced masonry specimens in different configurations, were built by varying
the masonry material (bricks and stones) and lintel supports (wooden lintel, masonry arch) are
considered. Each specimen was then reinforced with different strengthening techniques (tensioned
bars, steel profiles and CFRP strips) and re-tested. The mechanical behaviour of the spandrel
involves typically two types of failure: shear and flexural collapse. Starting from the experimental
behaviour of the tested specimens, a numerical model able to predict the cyclic response of a
spandrel subjected to seismic loading is presented and validated with the experimental results. The
numerical model allows one to evaluate the energy dissipation that occurs in a masonry spandrel
during a quasi-static cyclic test or a dynamic analysis.
