Experimental study on seismic behaviour of adobe wall reinforced with cold–formed thin–walled steel

Abstract

Abstract Currently, adobe is one of the building material commonly used in towns and villages. However, the damage of the adobe houses during earthquakes is severe. To reduce the severe damage, this study aimed to improve the seismic behaviour of the rural adobe houses. A series of tests were conducted on the seismic behaviour of the adobe walls. The material property tests were performed on raw materials and the particle size distribution, liquid–plastic limit, optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of soil were analyzed. The mechanical behaviour of the adobe and mud bricks was characterized by conducting the axial compression test. The stress–strain curves of the bricks were analyzed. The elastic modulus was obtained and the relationship between the modulus of elasticity and compressive strength of adobe bricks and mud bricks was established. The quasi–static loading tests were performed on an unreinforced adobe wall and an adobe wall reinforced with 1 mm thick cold–formed thin–wall steel. A comparative analysis of the failure mode, hysteretic performance, stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation capability was performed. Besides, strains at key locations of the reinforced adobe wall were studied. It indicated that the seismic behaviour of the reinforced wall was much better than that of the unreinforced wall. The cracking load, ultimate load, ductility coefficient and energy consumption were increased by 43.34%, 79.10%, 440% and 560%, respectively. The results indicated that the application of cold–formed thin–walled steel enhanced the seismic performance of the adobe wall significantly.