Experimental behaviour of unreinforced and confined rat-trap bond masonry

Abstract

Rat-trap bond (RTB) masonry is a fast-growing building technique owing to its thermal insulation and cost saving. While cost and energy efficiency are important parameters, structural stability and performance are as important. The aim of this study is to experimentally investigate the behaviour of unreinforced and confined RTB masonry subjected to lateral load. The experimental work consists of in-plane quasi-static cyclic load tests of two full-scale specimens; an unreinforced wall and a confined masonry wall. Key parameters such as lateral strength, stiffness, damping, force-deformation behaviour and ductility modification factor of both specimens are determined to understand the lateral load behaviour of RTB masonry. The experimental results indicate that the addition of confining elements significantly improved the behaviour of RTB masonry by enhancing the lateral strength, stiffness and ductility ratio of RTB walls by 121%, 52.8% and 23.8%, respectively.