Experimental In-Plane Strength Investigation of Reinforced Concrete Masonry Walls with Openings
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 5
Abstract
This paper presents test results of eight partially grout-filled perforated concrete masonry walls that were subjected to cyclic lateral loading. Test results obtained from this research indicated that the size of openings and the length of trimming reinforcement significantly affected the lateral strength of perforated masonry walls. It was shown that the current New Zealand nonspecific masonry design standard NZS 4229 unsafely overpredicts the strength capacity of concrete masonry walls with small openings, and an amendment is proposed to rectify this matter. It was also shown that NZS 4229 is increasingly conservative as the height of openings increased. Diagonal cracking patterns that formed during testing were observed to align well with the load paths by which lateral shear force was assumed to be transferred to the foundation when using strut-and-tie analysis. This observation supports the use of the strut-and-tie technique as a viable tool to evaluate the flexural strength of walls of this type.
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Acknowledgments
This research was funded by the Earthquake Commission Research Foundation (EQC). Materials and construction labor associated with the testing of masonry walls was provided by Firth Industries Ltd., W. Stevenson and Sons Ltd., and Ready Mix Concrete Ltd. Their contributions are gratefully acknowledged. The writers also wish to acknowledge contributions by Hank Mooy and Tony Daligan, who were responsible for the practical aspects in relation to testing of the wall specimens in the Civil Test Hall of the University of Auckland. The opinions and conclusions presented herein are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Auckland or any of the sponsoring parties to this project.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 5 • May 2008
Pages: 758 - 768
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Mar 12, 2007
Accepted: Oct 8, 2007
Published online: May 1, 2008
Published in print: May 2008
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Li Bing
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