Evaluation of masonry wall performance under cyclic loading

Timothy Phillips Vaughan

This research evaluated the structural performance of reinforced masonry shear walls conforming to requirements given in the 2008 MSJC Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures under cyclic lateral loading. Seismic design provisions in the 2008 MSJC provide prescriptive requirements for three different wall types corresponding to different levels of expected performance and minimum levels of ductility during a seismic event. Along with load capacity, displacement ductility and drift capacities are important parameters in the seismic design of structures, and there has been recent interest from researchers and designers about the values that can be achieved with the prescriptive provisions of each MSJC wall type. Ductility and drift values were obtained from a wide range of tests of masonry walls under cyclic loading representative of seismic loading. The test data consisted of results obtained for both fully grouted concrete and clay masonry walls. Each wall was classified to the applicable MSJC wall type and the dominant failure mode (flexure or shear). Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the performance of each wall type failing in flexure or shear. Theoretical predictions of performance were compared to experimental results for walls failing in flexure. Parametric studies were also performed on both data sets to evaluate the effects of various test parameters on ductility and drift. The prescriptive requirements in the MSJC for different types of shear walls resulted in levels of ductility and drift performance that aligned with the general intent of the Code. However, significant scatter in the results make it clear that achieving a target level of ductility or performance through the use of the prescriptive provisions alone is unreliable. Further research on walls failing strictly in flexure is recommended to more accurately identify MSJC wall type performance levels. The theoretical predictions of performance for walls failing in flexure were very conservative. Additional research to establish more realistic ultimate strain values for masonry is recommended.

Evaluation of masonry wall performance under cyclic loading

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