MADA: online experimental database for mechanical modelling of existing masonry assemblages

Mechanical modelling is a key step of the seismic assessment of existing masonry constructions. Unrealistic assumptions on masonry properties can lead to unreliable seismic performance predictions, resulting in the lack of safety (if capacity is overestimated) or even useless strengthening interventions (if capacity is underestimated). Therefore, the authors collected experimental data available in the literature to support researchers and practitioners in mechanical modelling of masonry and its constituents. Such data were implemented in MADA (MAsonry DAtabase), an electronic database which can be used in the Internet. This paper presents the main features of MADA which allows to select experimental data from about 400 electronic files associated with more than 100 research papers and reports. Each file provides detailed information on tests, specimens, and measured/computed data. MADA can be updated over time to improve knowledge on existing masonry assemblages and to promote statistical analysis of experimental data for seismic code revisions.