Experimental Study on Cast-In-Situ Masonry Cavity Walls Subjected to In-Plane Cyclic Loading

Abstract

This study investigates the behavior of cast-in-situ masonry cavity walls subjected to in-plane quasi-static loading. Thirteen cast-in-situ masonry cavity walls and one solid wall were tested under combined axial and quasi-static lateral loads. Test parameters included the tie shape, tie layout, thickness of the insulating layer, and the level of axial compression. The problems related to shear capacity and failure mechanisms of cast-in-situ masonry cavity walls were analyzed. Experimental results indicate that failure of most wall specimens occurred via crushing at corners, accompanied by flexural and diagonal cracks in the inner leaves. The shape and layout of the ties had a limited effect on the shear strength of cast-in-situ masonry cavity walls, while axial compression had a positive influence on shear strength. The relative displacement between the inner and outer leaves was nearly zero before walls cracked and reached less than 2 mm at the ultimate load. The shape and layout of the ties had a slight influence on the coordination of inner and outer leaves, while the insulating layer thickness and axial compression had a negative effect. Hysteretic loops under quasi-static loading were spindle-like, and wall specimens exhibited large nonlinear deformation capacity, indicating adequate aseismic capability. A new formula for calculating the shear capacity of the cast-in-situ cavity masonry walls was proposed and was demonstrated to be accurate.