SHEAR STRENGTH AND DEFORMATION MECHANISMS OF COMBINED AND CONFINED MASONRY WALLS SUBJECTED TO CYCLIC LOADING

Abstract eng:
The experimental masonry research in Mexico has concentrated in confined masonry walls, primarily those made with brick, However, a modality named as “combined and confined masonry”, where courses of lightweight concrete blocks (cheap in Mexico), are alternated with courses of bricks (more expensive) is being widely used in seismic zones of Mexico. Since there were no tests available for the described combined and confined masonry walls, Mexicans have no information about the performance of such walls under alternated earthquake loading. Therefore, an experimental program was needed in order to evaluate the strength and deformation mechanisms of such walls subjected to cyclic loading. The results of the first cycling testing conducted for combined and confined masonry walls are reported in this paper. The cyclic testing followed the protocol established by Mexican guidelines, which is similar to that used worldwide for the cyclic testing of wall structures. The research not only evaluates resisting mechanisms and deformation characteristics of such walls, but also defines values of useful parameters for analysis and design.

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