In-plane cyclic performance of confined partially grouted masonry walls with joint and vertical reinforcement

Abstract

This article presents the experimental results and analysis of five full-scale walls subjected to in-plane reversed cyclic displacements. All walls were constructed with reinforcement in both vertical and horizontal directions and, with a reinforced concrete frame in the perimeter of the wall as confinement. This research focuses on the effect of different aspect ratios of the walls on shear response. Force versus displacement diagrams and failure modes allowed the assessment of the seismic performance based on the stiffness degradation, ductility, drift capacity, and dissipated energy. An influence on the stiffness degradation derived from the aspect ratio was found. Ductility and equivalent viscous damping seem not to be affected by aspect ratio variations. The shear capacity is overestimated when the contribution of RC columns is explicitly considered. Using an equivalent masonry element instead of the reinforced concrete column gives a more conservative and realistic approach to the shear capacity.