Abstract
Masonry is the most executable and adaptable building material worldwide, but the seismic performance of masonry structures has always been a big concern. A new mortarless, interlinked block masonry system (slotted blocks with viscoelastic interlinked elements) is investigated. The slotted blocks are cast by using plain conventional concrete, and the viscoelastic link elements are prepared by using the ply of old/used radial rubber tires. The slotted concrete blocks with interlinked viscoelastic elements are integrated in such a way to restrict translational and rotational movements of the blocks under extreme earthquake loading conditions. This study addresses the concept of energy dissipation through friction and damping. Frictional damping in the system is achieved through block surfaces in contact with each other, and damping is achieved with the yielding of viscoelastic link elements without damaging the concrete blocks. The capacity-based principle is implemented in the conceptual design of the interlinked block masonry system in which the yield strength of the interlinked viscoelastic link element is kept low compared with the blocks. A single-room full-scale model of an interlinked block masonry system is tested on a shake table under design basis earthquake (DBE) and maximum considered earthquake (MCE) conditions per the most severe seismic Zone V of India considering soft soil conditions. The peak ground accelerations (PGAs) corresponding to both conditions are 0.18 and 0.36g, respectively. The acceleration along the height of the structure is measured with the help of triaxial force balanced accelerometers, and the relative displacement between the blocks is estimated by analyzing selected frames with the help of a high-speed camera. The test results authenticate the significant performance of the developed interlinked block masonry system with viscoelastic links by completely dissipating energy at the bottom portion of the structural model without damaging the blocks.
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Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 22 • Issue 3 • August 2017
Copyright
© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 7, 2016
Accepted: Nov 30, 2016
Published online: Feb 9, 2017
Discussion open until: Jul 9, 2017
Published in print: Aug 1, 2017
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