Vlatko Z. Bosiljkov, Martin Klun and David Antolinc
i Professor, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, vbosiljk@fgg.uni-lj.si
ii Research Assistant, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, martin.klun@gmail.com
iii Assistant Professor, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, david.antolinc@fgg.uni-lj.si
ABSTRACT
Masonry non-structural walls serve as physical barriers between two spaces, fully span the storey height, and provide sound isolation. They are usually built from either clay solid and hollow blocks or autoclaved aerated concrete units (AAC). There are no special requirements for non-structural walls in the current seismic codes, however recent earthquakes revealed high vulnerability of these secondary elements even in the case of moderate seismic events. This problem is particularly evident for public buildings (e.g. schools, hospitals), where due to high stories, the slenderness of these elements could be a crucial parameter that may significantly amplify design parameters derived from storey response spectra of primary structure. The main aim of this experimental study was to increase resistance of these elements due to out-of-plane seismic actions in the process of regular refurbishment works. A series of 18 large URM panels (316 x 195 x 12 cm) built from brickwork with lime mortar (representing old masonry – NF) and new AAC masonry panels (303 x 188 x 10 cm) were out-of-plane tested with four point bending cyclically displacement-controlled load. Each type of masonry was also strengthened with introduction of glass fibre mesh or fabric attached on both sides. For each configuration of masonry and reinforcement, three specimens were tested. In the strengthened state, both types of masonry had their maximum resistance increased by four times, while their ductility was doubled. A minimally invasive and cost-effective solution can be recommended for remedial actions on partition walls during regular refurbishment works.
KEYWORDS: out-of-plane test, non-structural walls, strengthening, glass mesh, brickwork masonry, autoclaved aerated concrete.
023-Bosiljkov.pdf
