EFFECTS OF INSTALLING NEW DUCTILE BLOCK WALLS CAPABLE OF RESISTING OUT-OF-PLANE LOADS ON SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF A REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAME

Abstract

This paper proposes new masonry walls using ductile interlocking blocks for retrofitting existing buildings. The presented walls are capable of resisting out-of-plane loads by the interlocking mechanism between blocks. Three 3/10 scale reinforced concrete frames were prepared, and two of them were retrofitted by the walls. Quasi-static loading tests of the specimens were carried out in the in-plane and out-of-plane directions, to compare their seismic performance. Installing the block walls, the strength of retrofitted specimens increased but ductility decreased. Moreover, one of them not only supported axial loads but also exhibited a frictional lateral resistance after failure of the columns.