Uniform lateral load capacity of small-scale masonry wall panels

Abstract

Masonry walls are often subject to imposed lateral loading due to the action of the wind, but assessing their performance experimentally can be costly, time consuming and there can be safety implications. This paper presents a novel approach to allow testing of small-scale (1/6th) brick/block masonry wall panels with a uniformly applied lateral load. Self-weight effects were correctly considered in the study by conducting the tests within a centrifuge. An innovative 3D digital image correlation method was successfully employed to measure deflections over the entire specimen surface. The effect of mortar strength, for brick specimens, was assessed in the study and it was found that the failure load increased for stronger mortars. Results were consistent between repeat specimens, both in terms of failure load and observed crack pattern. In addition a specimen with a small opening and a brick/block cavity wall assembly were tested. The opening was found to have minimal effect on the failure load, but a different crack pattern was observed. The cavity wall failed at a lower load than that suggested by design codes. Theoretical failure loads were calculated by the established yield line analysis method and compared reasonably well to the experimental values.