The structural performance of civil engineering infrastructures exposed to elevated temperatures has been investigated in many recent works. Some of these studies evaluated the residual mechanical behavior of masonry prisms subjected to high temperatures, as these specimens are simplified models (2–5 units in height) that can be easily produced and tested, in terms of operational and economic factors. However, there is no previous literature review on the mechanical properties of fire-damaged masonry prisms. Therefore, this paper presents an investigation of the current state-of-the-art on this topic. It provides a careful review of recent knowledge on the failure mechanisms, residual compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and stress–strain behavior of masonry prisms made with different types of units, mortars, and/or grout after exposure to different types of thermal treatments. Based on the revised information, future research directions on the scientific field of masonry infrastructures are reported.
In the last decades, several studies have been developed regarding structures composed by frames infilled with masonry walls, proving the increase of lateral stiffness by the infill. In this work, an analysis was carried out, based on design codes which adopt the equivalent diagonal strut method, to compare theoretical results with experimental ones of tests performed on steel frames infilled with concrete block masonry. Two of the three assessed codes specify lateral stiffness smaller than that measured from experimental testing, as safety measures for design. Regarding the masonry ultimate loads, the two specifications analyzed yielded similar values of critical force, although they pointed out different failure modes. The equivalent diagonal strut method has been proved to be a simple and useful tool for considering masonry walls and it should be used in case of reduced horizontal loads, prior to initial cracks of the infill wall.
The main aim of this paper is to examine the variability of some dynamic properties of concrete composite panels to in-plane eccentric compression loads via static and dynamic impact testing. First, experimental tests were performed in order to obtain the dynamic and static properties of concrete composite panels. In-plane eccentric loads were statically applied to a couple of panels in ten uniform steps. For each step, dynamic impact testing was performed and the modal damping, peak amplitude and natural frequencies obtained. Second, a 'hybrid' model, based on the concepts of modal analysis and the Finite Element Method, was developed in order to obtain the natural frequencies and corresponding normal modes of the composite panels within the frequency range 0-200 Hz. For this model, an initial warp of the panel middle surface was incorporated into the formulation in order to represent the applied flexural moment provoked by the eccentric in-plane loads. The accuracy of the 'hybrid' model was verified by comparison with the experimental results. Third, comparison is made between predictions (using on the 'hybrid' model) and experimental results.
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