Test report on cyclic behaviour of plank-joist connections of samples extracted from existing buildings

This report presents the materials, experiment setups and testing procedures directed at determining the back-bone curves that describe the plank-joist connections of samples extracted from existing unreinforced masonry houses. The last section contains an overview of the results obtained for the different specimens tested. The use of the outcome of these experiments are twofold:
- They provide input for FEM models to predict the mechanical behaviour of full size floors (diaphragms) made of joists with planks nailed to them.
- They provide input for the selection of materials to build up replicas of diaphragms.
For the plank-joist connection a distinction is made between nailed and screwed connections. The testing started with nailed connections, which is common use in pre-war houses. The loading is applied in three ways: loading the plank perpendicular to the joist and parallel to the joist, as well as rotation of the plank relative to the joist. All specimens were tested under cyclic loading, according to a prescribed loading program.