Seismic performance evaluation of full-scale confined masonry building using light weight cellular panels

• Published in: Journal of Building Engineering 2020-11, Vol.32, p.101473, Article 101473
• Main Authors: Chourasia, Ajay, Singhal, Shubham, Parashar, Jalaj
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Confined masonry; Finite element analysis; Light weight cellular panels; Quasi-static test; Seismic behaviour; Seismic parameters
• ISSN: 2352-7102; 2352-7102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101473

This paper deals with the seismic performance of a confined masonry (CM) building using innovative light weight cellular (LWC) panels, under displacement controlled quasi-static reversed cyclic lateral loading. The LWC panels measured 590 × 270 × 140 mm, with four 60 mm diameter vertical holes and a 35 mm high trough shaped groove for interlocking along the length. A full-scale CM building was constructed having a 2.91 m × 2.91 m plan and 3.01 m height, with 140 mm thick walls and a 100 mm thick reinforced concrete (RC) slab. During construction of the CM building, two vertical holes in panels were provided with an 8 mm diameter vertical reinforcing bar and cast with M20 grade concrete, and the other two were left empty. In addition, 140 × 140 mm RC tie-columns with four 10 mm diameter rebars were provided at the corners. Seismic performance was studied from the standpoint of damage pattern, lateral load carrying capacity, stiffness, deformation characteristics and energy dissipation. A numerical solution based on the finite element method has also been carried out to model the test results. The CM building showed excellent behaviour without any significant damage, hence the system can be adopted for construction of low-to-medium rise buildings, providing speed, sustainability and economy. •Confined masonry building constructed using light weight cellular panels.•Light weight cellular panels have advantages of ease of installation, light weight, reduction of masonry cross-section, low carbon foot print and facilitating rapid construction.•Confined masonry building constructed using light weight cellular panels exhibited superior performance in terms of seismic characteristics.•Proposed construction system can be adopted in moderate to high seismic regions.•CM buildings upto 2 stories favourable for all seismic zones, while 3 storey upto zone IV.