The article presents a research on flexural behaviour of hollow monolithic reinforced concrete slabs. It focuses on the results of experimental investigation into full-size hollow reinforced concrete slabs and analyses their flexural capacity and stiffness. The self-weight of the slabs directly depends on the shape and number of hollows. An increase in the hollowness of a slab significantly reduces the load caused by self-weight. This allows increasing the estimated length of the slab under the same payload. An increase in the amount of hollows of the slab changes the stiffness of the slab cross-section that has a direct impact on slab deflection. Considering the shape of the slab cross-section, theoretical calculations of the flexural capacity and deflection of experimental slabs were made. The design of a new type of slabs and variations in different parameters of the slab experience difficulties in conducting a large amount of experimental tests. Therefore, the initial analysis may apply to numerical simulation. The paper describes the principles of designing a numerical model. The calculations were made using DIANA software. The stiffness and flexural capacity of the hollow slabs were established employing numerical simulation compared to the results of experimental investigations. The findings indicate that numerical simulation can be applied for analysing the stress state of the examined structures.

This study analysed the results of the joint research into the building materials of the historic masonry of the retaining wall of the Gediminas Castle Hill dating back to the end of the 13th and beginning of the 14th centuries. Core samples for material testing were collected along the entire height of the retaining wall to assess its load bearing capacity. Boreholes were drilled 600–1000 mm from the exterior of the wall to determine the properties of the ceramic bricks and lime mortar that were not affected by external factors. The analysis of the microstructure and chemical composition, mechanical and physical properties of the ceramic bricks and lime mortar is presented. The high compressive strength (8.5 MPa) of the lime mortar was the result of using hydraulic lime and crumbs of ceramic bricks as mortar aggregate.

The article discusses the results of experimental investigation of highly hollow concrete block masonry and concrete infill block masonry behaviour under compression. The research revealed that upon failure of hollow block masonry, the longitudinal shells are detached from the web which results in crumbling. Masonry deformations of the blocks with concrete infill are similar to those of the infill concrete control samples for longitudinal deformations, which proves fairly good mutual block and infill concrete performance