Testing And Evaluation Of Out-of-plane StrengthOf Reinforced Masonry Infills

Abstract

An experimental program was undertaken to determine the out-of-plane or transverse strength of unreinforced masonry infills. Full-scale, single-story, single-bay reinforced concrete frames were constructed, and filled with clay brick or concrete block masonry. Specimens were tested in the transverse direction by applying a uniform pressure (simulating wind, seismic, or explosive loads) to the surface area of the infills until either failure of the infill occurred or the capacity of the testing rig was reached As the experimental phase of the program progressed, an analytical model to estimate the out-of-plane strength of these infills was developed. Based on this analytical model, calibrated with the experimental results, an evaluation method was developed. Transactions on the Built Environment vol 32, © 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3509