EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON SEISMIC BEHAVIOR OF REINFORCED FULLY GROUTED CONCRETE MASONRY WALLS : Effects of lateral force, vertical axial load and presence of masonry units

Abstract

In order to investigate the effects of height of lateral forces, vertical axial loads and presence of masonry units on seismic behavior of reinforced fully grouted concrete masonry (grouted masonry) walls, twenty different wall specimens were tested under constant compression, tension and variational axial loads, and alternately repeated lateral forces. Test results indicate that the seismic behavior of grouted masonry walls is remarkably affected by the height of lateral forces as well as the values of vertical axial loads, and the grouted masonry walls have almost the same seismic resistant capacity as reinforced concrete walls.