In-plane seismic behaviour of urm and confined masonry built from vertically perforated blocks and polyurethane glue

• Published in: Structures (Oxford) 2023-12, Vol.58, p.105528, Article 105528
• Main Authors: Gams, M., Triller, P., Jäger, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Confined masonry; Polyurethane glue; Seismic response; URM; Vertically perforated blocks
• ISSN: 2352-0124; 2352-0124
• DOI: 10.1016/j.istruc.2023.105528

Masonry construction using vertically perforated clay blocks with large holes and polyurethane glue is a modern technology designed primarily for low thermal losses. This study aims to evaluate the in-plane seismic behaviour of masonry constructed using unreinforced masonry (URM) and confined masonry construction technology. The experimental methods consist of triplet tests on joints and cyclic shear compression tests on eight full-scale walls, six of which are URM and two of which are confined masonry. Tests on URM walls are performed at three different levels of compressive stress to analyse the effect of compressive stress on the seismic response. The effects of compressive stress on shear resistance and drift capacity are quantified and compared with results from a database. The performance of the tested walls is comparable to what is expected from modern URM walls. Two confined masonry walls were of the same dimensions as the URM walls and are evaluated at the highest compressive stress level used in tests of URM walls. The results indicate that confined masonry should be the preferred technology for seismic regions because of its higher strength, displacement capacity, ductility, and energy dissipation.