Experimental study on the shaking table tests of a modern inner-reinforced rammed earth structure

Abstract

Modern rammed earth (RE) is an improvement of the traditional RE in terms of compacting skills and material preparation. In this study, a series of proper structural measures for RE buildings are proposed to enhance its structural integrities. To acquire/evaluate the seismic performance of these reinforced RE buildings, different typical structural styles are employed to construct two ½-scaled, single-story buildings for shaking table tests. Testing damage conditions and dynamic characteristics, including frequency, acceleration coefficient, and displacement response, are investigated. After a comparison of these factors for each specimen, a comprehensive evaluation of seismic performance is conducted. The results show a better coordination between these structural measures and RE walls during the whole loading process. Even if RE walls are separated into pieces at the later loading processes, these structural measures are still effective in restraining specimen deformation, moreover, the residual seismic capacity of each specimen can still undertake extra-lager earthquake excitations. After an overall consideration of the construction process at a site and the results of the shaking table tests, it is easy to draw conclusions that these inner reinforcements are suitable for RE buildings, and single-story inner reinforced RE buildings can be constructed widely in China.