Experimental and analytical investigation of the lateral load response of confined masonry walls

Abstract

This paper investigates the behavior of confined masonry walls subjected to lateral loads. Six full-scale wall assembles, consisting of a clay masonry panel, two confining columns and a tie beam, were tested under a combination of vertical load and monotonic pushover up to failure. Wall panels had various configurations, namely, solid and perforated walls with window and door openings, variable longitudinal and transverse reinforcement ratios for the confining elements and different brick types, namely, cored clay and solid concrete masonry units. Key experimental results showed that the walls in general experienced a shear failure at the end of the lightly reinforced confining elements after the failure of the diagonal struts formed in the brick wall due to transversal diagonal tension. Stepped bed joint cracks formed in the masonry panel either diagonally or around the perforations. A numerical model was built using the finite element method and was validated in light of the experimental results. The model showed acceptable correlation and was used to conduct a thorough parametric study on various design configurations. The conducted parametric study involved the assessment of the load/displacement response for walls with different aspect ratios, axial load ratios, number of confining elements as well as the size and orientation of perforations. It was found that the strength of the bricks and the number of confining elements play a significant role in increasing the walls' ultimate resistance and displacement ductility. ª 2014 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Housing and Building National Research Center.

Strengthening/Retrofitting Techniques on Unreinforced Masonry Structure/Element Subjected to Seismic Loads: A Literature Review

“…The reinforced concrete ring-beams were normally used in masonry structures to improve its mechanical behaviour. The masonry structures confined with constructional columns and ring beams are expected to perform well in earthquakes [69] concluded in a study on confined masonry structures that the mechanical performance (ductility and strength) of the masonry panels are maintained mostly by the confining elements. Furthermore, more strength of the masonry structure will be preserved during an earthquake with higher reinforcement ratio and more confining elements.…”

Finite Element Modelling of Wall-Frame Connection for Confined Masonry Structure

“…[3] The confinement plays a significant role in maintaining the wall integrity to develop optimum lateral resistance of the structure. [4] Generally, tie columns have a rectangular section whose dimensions normally match up to the wall thickness. [4] For tie beams, both wall thickness and floor type impact the decision of the measurements.…”

“…[4] Generally, tie columns have a rectangular section whose dimensions normally match up to the wall thickness. [4] For tie beams, both wall thickness and floor type impact the decision of the measurements. [4] This type of construction is most commonly used in one-to-two storey housing in developing countries like India.…”

“…[4] For tie beams, both wall thickness and floor type impact the decision of the measurements. [4] This type of construction is most commonly used in one-to-two storey housing in developing countries like India. [5] The establishment of wall-frame connections on a confined masonry wall has been introduced to preserve the frame confinement to the wall and to enhance the general seismic execution of the structure.…”

“…[5] The establishment of wall-frame connections on a confined masonry wall has been introduced to preserve the frame confinement to the wall and to enhance the general seismic execution of the structure. [4] The economy, proficiency, quality and firmness of confined masonry make it an alluring material for an extensive variety of basic applications. [2] Hence, an analytical study on wall-frame connections on a masonry wall confined by reinforced concrete frame was conducted.…”