Some aspects of Experimental Testing of seismic behaviour of masonry walls and models of masonry Buildings

Authors: Miha Tomazevic

Reference: ISET Journal of Earthquake Technology ,Dec.2000

Summary:

In order to experimetnally simulate failure mechanism in masonry wals in buildings structural system, scale down models were tested under monotonic, cyclic, sinusoidal and earthquake response lateral displacement-time histories to understand infuluence of different loading procedures on seismic resistance of walls.

Conclusion & Future Goals:

Monotonic procedure resulted into higher values of lateral resistance and larger ultimate displacement than in cyclic loading. Similarly higher value of lateral resistance were measured in dynamic tests then in static experiements. Also findings indicate that seismic behaviour of structural system can be studied in scale-down tests, and not the behaviour of structural details.

Engineered design of masonry buildings:fifty years development in Europe

Authors: A W Hendry (Scotland)

Reference: Struct.Engng Mater.2002;4:291-300

Summary:

Essential problems of verall stabiltiy and safety and the design of walls in compression and lateral loads have been addressed.

Masonry Shear Walls subjected to Cyclic Loading:Influence of Confinement and Horizontal Reinforcement

Authors: Jao P.Gouveia and Paulo B.Lourenco (Portugal)

Reference: Tenth North American Masonry Conference, June 3-6, 2007, St Louis, Missouri, USA

Summary:

Experiments were conducted on masonry walls (scale-down 1:2) subjected to in-plane cyclic actions and constant pre-compression for evaluation of shear strength, ductility, energy dissipation and stiffness.  Also discussed on possibility of replacing the filling of the vertical joints by interlocking and horizontal bed joint reinforcement and need for filling vertical joints in confined masonry solutions.