Dina Helmy, Carlos Cruz-Noguez, and Clayton Pettit
i Ph.D. Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, dhelmy@ualberta.ca. Corresponding Author.
ii Professor, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, cruznogu@ualberta.ca.
iii Assistant Professor, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, cpettit@ualberta.ca.
ABSTRACT
Partially-grouted concrete block masonry walls are an attractive gravity and lateral load resisting system due to their low seismic mass, thermal efficiency, and constructability. Contrary to fully-grouted walls where all cells within the masonry wall are filled with grout, partially-grouted walls only feature grout in cells containing steel reinforcement. While resulting in a more economical solution compared to fully-grouted walls, the presence of voids in partially grouted walls creates difficulties in analyzing the wall system using conventional mechanics-based methods. This, compounded with the complexities associated with the block-mortar and block-grout interfaces, has resulted in a noticeable lack of understanding towards the behaviour of partially-grouted walls under in-plane lateral loads. In this study, a finite element (FE) methodology for micro-modelling partially-grouted concrete block masonry walls subjected to in-plane loading is developed. Within the FE framework, all cementitious components (masonry units, mortar, and grout) are separately modeled as two-dimensional solid continuum elements while reinforcing bars as beam elements. Interfaces existing between the masonry units, mortar, and grout are accounted for and defined through contact-based cohesion models. Several experimental studies were selected to validate the model and ensure the robustness of the modelling methodology under different loading scenarios and wall configurations. Examples of parameters investigated include wall openings, incorporation of bond beam and/or bed-joint reinforcement, cyclic loading, and wall aspect ratio. Results of the micro-model simulation for each experimental study are presented and followed by a detailed discussion of the performance, limitations, and applications of the micro-model.
KEYWORDS: Masonry, Shear Walls, Partially-Grouted, Finite Element, Micro-Modelling.
100-Helmy.pdf
