Out-of-Plane Performance of Lightweight AAC Infills within RC Frames Using Noncontact Full-Field Strain Measurement Technique
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 5
Abstract
The present research aimed at investigating the out-of-plane (OOP) behavior of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) block masonry to further advance their application as structural infills considering different parameters (slenderness ratios, central window opening, and loading conditions) using a noncontact optical full-field strain measuring method. The fundamental behavior of AAC blocks and masonry assemblages were also assessed under different loads (compression, shear, and flexure) and verified with the design requirements. The development of arch-resisting mechanisms, OOP deformation profiles, cracking patterns, and damage mechanisms were assessed. Comprehensive comparative analysis was conducted to examine the OOP behavior of AAC block infilled frames with similarly constructed solid clay brick masonry infills. Further, an effort was made to review the requirements of the available design provisions and empirical models to envisage the OOP load and deformation capacities of AAC block masonry infills. The experimental investigation determined that lower slenderness ratio (15.1) specimens attained higher OOP load-bearing capacity ( times) and energy consumption ( times) compared with slender specimens (30.2). The presence of a window opening (11.3% area ratio) and repeated loading did not reveal significant reductions in OOP load () and deformation (0.83–0.94 times) capacities compared with the monotonic loading counterpart. The OOP arch-resisting mechanism vanished (capacity dropped to 20%–40% peak), and the failure was sudden due to the disintegration of the cross section and OOP fall-out of damaged components, demonstrating the OOP vulnerability of AAC infill. Crack widths and OOP deformation after vertical splitting cracks formation were precisely apprehended using the full-field strain measuring digital image correlation technique.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All experimental data and models that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
Authors acknowledge the financial assistance provided by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 52178485 and 52350410467), National Science Foundation China, Fujian Province (Grant No. 2022J05056), and High-Level Talent Introduction (Department of Science and Technology), Huaqiao University, China (Grant No. 605-50Y22017). In addition, the authors gratefully appreciate Professor Hemant B. Kaushik, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India, for providing valuable suggestions for improving the quality of the manuscript.
References
Akhoundi, F., G. Vasconcelos, and P. Lourenço. 2020. “Experimental out-of-plane behavior of brick masonry infilled frames.” Int. J. Archit. Heritage 14 (2): 221–237. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2018.1529207.
Angel, R., D. Abrams, D. Shapiro, J. Uzarski, and M. Webster. 1994. Behavior of reinforced concrete frames with infills. Champaign, IL: Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Anić, F., D. Penava, L. Abrahamczyk, and V. Sarhosis. 2020. “A review of experimental and analytical studies on the out-of-plane behaviour of masonry infilled frames.” Bull. Earthquake Eng. 18 (Dec): 2191–2246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-019-00771-5.
ASCE. 2017. Seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing buildings. ASCE 41. Reston, VA: ASCE.
ASTM. 2011. Standard specification for autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). ASTM C1693. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2014. Standard test method for splitting tensile strength of masonry units. ASTM C1006. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2015a. Standard test method for diagonal tension (shear) in masonry assemblages. ASTM E519/E519M. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2015b. Standard test methods for flexural bond strength of masonry. ASTM E518/518M. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2016. Standard test method for compressive strength of masonry prisms. ASTM C1314. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Basha, S. H., Z.-X. Guo, and X. Xie. 2022. “Effect of structural bonding patterns on mechanical characteristics of clay brick masonry under different loadings using digital image correlation technique.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 34 (11): 04022302. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0004457.
Bashandy, T., N. Rubiano, and R. Klingner. 1995. Evaluation and analytical verification of infilled frame test data. Austin, TX: Univ. of Texas.
Bhosale, A., N. P. Zade, R. Davis, and P. Sarkar. 2019. “Experimental Investigation of autoclaved aerated concrete masonry.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 31 (7): 04019109. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002762.
Binici, B., E. Canbay, A. Aldemir, I. O. Demirel, U. Uzgan, Z. Eryurtlu, K. Bulbul, and A. Yakut. 2019. “Seismic behavior and improvement of autoclaved aerated concrete infill walls.” Eng. Struct. 193 (Mar): 68–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.05.032.
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). 1989. Code of practice for structural use of unreinforced masonry (third version). IS 1905. New Delhi, India: BIS.
Bolhassani, M., A. A. Hamid, S. Rajaram, P. A. Vanniamparambil, I. Bartoli, and A. Kontsos. 2017. “Failure analysis and damage detection of partially grouted masonry walls by enhancing deformation measurement using DIC.” Eng. Struct.134 (Mar): 262–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.12.019.
Bose, S., and D. C. Rai. 2016. “Lateral load behavior of an open-ground-story RC building with AAC infills in upper stories.” Earthquake Spectra 32 (3): 1653–1674. https://doi.org/10.1193/121413EQS295M.
Calvi, G. M., and D. Bolognini. 2001. “Seismic response of reinforced concrete frames infilled with weakly reinforced masonry panels.” J. Earthquake Eng. 5 (2): 153–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632460109350390.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2000. Methods of test for masonry: Part 4. Determination of shear strength including damp proof course. EN 1052-4. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2002. Methods of test for masonry: Part 3: Determination of initial shear strength. EN 1052-3. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2004. Design of masonry structures. Eurocode 6. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2006. Design of masonry structures—Part 1-1: General rules for reinforced and unreinforced masonry structures. Eurocode 6. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
Chinese Standard. 2011a. Code for design of masonry structures. GB 50003. Beijing: China Architecture and Building Press.
Chinese Standard. 2011b. Standard for test method of basics mechanics properties of masonry. GB/T 50129. Beijing: China Architecture and Building Press.
Chinese Standard. 2016. Code for seismic design of buildings. GB 50011. Beijing: China Architecture and Building Press.
Chinese Standard. 2020. Technical standard for application of autoclaved aerated concrete product. JGJ/T 17-2020. Beijing: China Architecture and Building Press.
Costa, A. A., A. Penna, G. Magenes, and A. Galasco. 2008. “Seismic performance assessment of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) masonry buildings.” In Proc., 14th World Conf. on Earthquake Engineering. Beijing: China Earthquake Administration.
Di Domenico, M., P. Ricci, and G. M. Verderame. 2020. “Experimental assessment of strengthened masonry partitions without arching effect under seismic out-of-plane load.” J. Earthquake Eng. 26 (9): 4657–4680. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632469.2020.1835754.
Di Trapani, F., A. Vizzino, G. Tomaselli, A. P. Sberna, and G. Bertagnoli. 2022. “A new empirical formulation for the out-of-plane resistance of masonry infills in reinforced concrete frames.” Eng. Struct. 266 (Sep): 114422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.114422.
Drysdale, R., A. Hamid, and L. R. Baker. 1999. Masonry structures: Behaviour and design. Longmont, CO: Masonry Society.
Flanagan, R. D., and R. M. Bennett. 1999. “Bidirectional behavior of structural clay tile infilled frames.” J. Struct. Eng. 125 (3): 236–244. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1999)125:3(236).
Furtado, A., H. Rodrigues, A. Arêde, and H. Varum. 2018. “Out-of-plane behavior of masonry infilled RC frames based on the experimental tests available: A systematic review.” Constr. Build. Mater. 168 (Apr): 831–848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.02.129.
Gesualdi, G., L. R. S. Viggiani, and D. Cardone. 2020. “Seismic performance of RC frame buildings accounting for the out-of-plane behavior of masonry infills.” Bull. Earthquake Eng. 18 (11): 5343–5381. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-020-00904-1.
Ghorbani, R., F. Matta, and M. A. Sutton. 2015. “Full-field deformation measurement and crack mapping on confined masonry walls using digital image correlation.” Exp. Mech. 55 (1): 227–243. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-014-9906-y.
GOM (Gesellschaft für Optische Messtechnik). 2019. Digital image correlation and strain computation basics. Braunschweig, Germany: GOM.
Hossain, M. A., Y. Z. Totoev, and M. J. Masia. 2021. “Application of digital image correlation (DIC) technique for semi interlocking masonry (SIM) panels under large cyclic in-plane shear displacement.” Exp. Tech. 45 (4): 509–530. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40799-020-00423-3.
Howlader, M. K., M. J. Masia, and M. C. Griffith. 2021. “Digital image correlation for the analysis of in-plane tested unreinforced masonry walls.” Structures 29 (Mar): 427–445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2020.11.051.
Imran, I., and A. Aryanto. 2009. “Behavior of reinforced concrete frames in-filled with lightweight materials under seismic loads.” Civ. Eng. Dimension 11 (2): 69–77.
Jin, W., C. Zhai, J. Kong, W. Liu, and M. Zhang. 2021. “In-plane and out-of-plane quasi-static tests on RC frames with a new type of frame-isolated infills.” Eng. Struct. 246 (Nov): 113079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.113079.
Kasapgil, S. M., B. Binici, and E. Canbay. 2021. “Seismic behavior of AAC infill walls insulated with cementitious lightweight panels in reinforced concrete frames.” Eng. Struct. 248 (Dec): 113215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.113215.
Liberatore, L., O. AlShawa, C. Marson, M. Pasca, and L. Sorrentino. 2020. “Out-of-plane capacity equations for masonry infill walls accounting for openings and boundary conditions.” Eng. Struct. 207 (Mar): 110198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110198.
Liu, Y.-S., and G.-Q. Li. 2004. “Behavior of steel frames with and without AAC infilled walls subjected to static and cyclic horizontal loads.” In Proc., 13th World Conf. on Earthquake Engineering. Vancouver, BC, Canada: Canadian Association for Earthquake Engineering.
Milanesi, R. R., P. Morandi, S. Hak, and G. Magenes. 2021. “Experiment-based out-of-plane resistance of strong masonry infills for codified applications.” Eng. Struct. 242 (May): 112525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112525.
Misir, I. S., O. Ozcelik, S. C. Girgin, and U. Yucel. 2016. “The behavior of infill walls in RC frames under combined bidirectional loading.” J. Earthquake Eng. 20 (4): 559–586. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632469.2015.1104748.
MSJC (Masonry Standards Joint Committee). 2013. Building code requirements and specification for masonry structures. Farmington Hills, MI: American Concrete Institute.
Okazaki, T., M. Nakashima, K. Suita, and T. Matusmiya. 2007. “Interaction between cladding and structural frame observed in a full-scale steel building test.” Earthquake Eng. Struct. Dyn. 36 (1): 35–53. https://doi.org/10.1002/eqe.618.
Pasca, M., L. Liberatore, and R. Masiani. 2017. “Reliability of analytical models for the prediction of out-of-plane capacity of masonry infills.” Struct. Eng. Mech. 64 (6): 765–781. https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2017.64.6.765.
Penna, A., M. Mandirola, M. Rota, and G. Magenes. 2015. “Experimental assessment of the in-plane lateral capacity of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) masonry walls with flat-truss bed-joint reinforcement.” Constr. Build. Mater. 82 (May): 155–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.02.057.
Pradhan, B., V. Sarhosis, M. F. Ferrotto, D. Penava, and L. Cavaleri. 2021. “Prediction equations for out-of-plane capacity of unreinforced masonry infill walls based on a macroelement model parametric analysis.” J. Eng. Mech. 147 (11): 04021096. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0001998.
Pradhan, B., M. Zizzo, F. di Trapani, and L. Cavaleri. 2022. “Out-of-plane behavior of URM infill: Accuracy of available capacity models.” J. Struct. Eng. 148 (3): 04021292. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0003253.
Rajaram, S., et al. 2017. “Full-field deformation measurements during seismic loading of masonry buildings.” Struct. Control Health Monit. 24 (4): e1903. https://doi.org/10.1002/stc.1903.
Ravichandran, S. S., and R. E. Klingner. 2012a. “Behavior of steel moment frames with autoclaved aerated concrete infills.” ACI Struct. J. 109 (1), https://doi.org/10.14359/51683497.
Ravichandran, S. S., and R. E. Klingner. 2012b. “Seismic design factors for steel moment frames with masonry infills: Part 1.” Earthquake Spectra 28 (3): 1189–1204. https://doi.org/10.1193/1.4000060.
Ravichandran, S. S., and R. E. Klingner. 2012c. “Seismic design factors for steel moment frames with masonry infills: Part 2.” Earthquake Spectra 28 (3): 1205–1222. https://doi.org/10.1193/1.4000061.
Ricci, P., M. di Domenico, and G. M. Verderame. 2018. “Empirical-based out-of-plane URM infill wall model accounting for the interaction with in-plane demand.” Earthquake Eng. Struct. Dyn. 47 (3): 802–827. https://doi.org/10.1002/eqe.2992.
Singhal, V., and D. C. Rai. 2014. “Suitability of half-scale burnt clay bricks for shake table tests on masonry walls.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 26 (4): 644–657. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000861.
Tanner, J., J. Varela, M. Brightman, U. Cancino, J. Argudo, and R. Klingner. 2004. “Seismic performance and design of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) structural systems.” In Proc., 13th World Conf. on Earthquake Engineering. Vancouver, BC, Canada: Canadian Association for Earthquake Engineering.
Todorovic, L., I. O. Demirel, and B. Binici. 2020. “Effect of openings on the seismic response of AAC infilled frames and an innovative method to improve performance.” Int. J. Masonry Res. Innov. 5 (2): 226. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMRI.2020.106333.
Varela, J. L., J. E. Tanner, and R. E. Klingner. 2006. “Development of seismic force reduction and displacement amplification factors for autoclaved aerated concrete structures.” Earthquake Spectra 22 (1): 267–286. https://doi.org/10.1193/1.2166034.
Xie, X., Z.-X. Guo, and S. H. Basha. 2023. “Out-of-plane behavior of clay brick masonry infills contained within RC frames using 3D-Digital image correlation technique.” Constr. Build. Mater. 376 (May): 131061. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131061.
Zade, N. P., A. Bhosale, P. Sarkar, and R. Davis. 2022. “In-plane seismic response of autoclaved aerated concrete block masonry-infilled reinforced concrete frame building.” ACI Struct. J. 119 (2): 45–60. https://doi.org/10.14359/51734329.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 5 • May 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 28, 2023
Accepted: Dec 27, 2023
Published online: Mar 14, 2024
Published in print: May 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Aug 14, 2024
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.