Seismic behaviour of self-insulating inner-framed bearing walls with openings

Abstract

Traditional masonry structures have prominent problems, such as high building energy consumption and poor seismic performance. In view of this situation, the research group proposed a structural system of self-insulating inner-framed bearing walls (SIBWs) based on the integration of seismic and energy conservation. In this paper, five SIBWs were designed and manufactured. The influence of openings on the seismic performance of the structures was studied, and the unified calculation formula for the seismic bearing capacity was established by a low cycle cyclic loading test. The results showed that all five specimens had a high seismic bearing capacity; ductility coefficients of 2.95, 3.03, 4.09, 3.55, and 3.67, indicating good ductility and deformation capacity; and that the failure modes were all ductile failure modes. The openings had a significant influence on the hysteretic curve, skeleton curve, stiffness, and energy-dissipation capacity of the SIBWs. The failure process of the test wall was characterized by the interaction, transition, and weak framework stages. In theory, based on the equivalent elastic plate model, the unified calculation method of the wall cracking load was established. Based on the idea of the shear resistance mechanism, the diagonal compression bar model of the rigid frame was proposed, and the unified calculation method of the ultimate load of the wall was also established. A comparison with the measured values shows that the calculation method is accurate and that it helps to promote the integrated development of seismic and energy conservation for masonry structures, especially in rural areas.