A. San Bartolomé ¹, W. Silva², E. Melendez³, G. Castro⁴, and D. Quiun⁵

1. Professor, Department of Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Av. Universitaria 1801, Lima 32, Peru, asanbar@pucp.edu.pe
2. Associate Professor, Department of Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Av. Universitaria 1801, Lima 32, Peru, wsilva@pucp.edu.pe
3. Civil Engineer, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, melendez.ev@pucp.edu.pe
4. Civil Engineer, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, castro.ga@pucp.edu.pe
5. Professor, Department of Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Av. Universitaria 1801, Lima 32, Peru, dquiun@pucp.edu.pe

ABSTRACT

An experimental study was conducted at the Structures Laboratory of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru in order to find ways to control or to avoid the sliding failure of reinforced masonry walls under seismic lateral loads. This type of failure is very dangerous because: the vertical bars can be cut, the reduction of the cross section is significant, and the wall can be broken into two parts, generating eccentricity of the vertical loads.

Five fully grouted masonry walls were constructed using concrete blocks. Variations included: the use of additional dowels to support the sliding shear force, the use of different components of the grout, the vertical reinforcement distribution, the use of continuous bars or vertical bars with overlaps, the treatment of the foundation beam, the use of special blocks at the first layer and some other construction details. The five walls were built to full scale and subjected to cyclic lateral load of increasing displacement amplitude, until failures were attained. Conclusions are drawn in terms of the construction process and the vertical reinforcement, indicating which parameters had influence in preventing sliding and which did not. Recommendations are given regarding the findings reached.

KEYWORDS: sliding, failure, concrete blocks, tests, seismic resistance, wall

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