Author
HOLLAND, N. and PAUL, V.
Texas A & M University, Department of Architecture
NICHOLS, J. M.
TAMU, Construction Science Department

Abstract
Limestone blocks are used in a significant number of Old World structures, such as the Narbonne Cathedral in France. Limestone is now one of the major building materials for the south western regions of the USA, with producers in the state of Texas leading US production from an estimated 2,000 quarries. The purposes of this paper are to review the current state of knowledge on the shear properties of limestone masonry and to outline current research on the shear properties of various assemblages of limestone masonry, including ones made from cement lime-based mortar. The experimental results will be used to refine the structural finite element models of the Narbonne Cathedral.

Key words
Narbonne Cathedral, shear, limestone blocks, cement-lime mortar