The behaviour of slender reinforced masonry walls built with concrete hollow blockwork

Abstract

This study presents the results of an experimental investigation to study the behaviour of reinforced masonry slender walls constructed of concrete hollow blocks. The experimental program involved the testing of four 150mm full-scale walls. The walls were built with different course heights to attain different heights to thickness ratios, maintaining all the other parameters - such as the type of mortar mix, the area of reinforcement, and the concrete grade - constant. The walls were tested under vertical concentric loading by an appositely fabricated test frame. Before starting the testing program, the test frame had to be designed and constructed. This is the first time that compressive testing on full-scale walls has been attempted for a Bachelor of Architecture and Civil Engineering dissertation, because in other dissertations done before dealing with masonry walls 1/3 scale models were tested. From the tests performed various observations were made of slenderness effect on the compressive strength of reinforced masonry, but there is scope for further investigations as discussed in the recommendations. The load capacity reached by the tests was well above the standards, recommended to be used as the axial capacity of an element, in the design of reinforced masonry. As regards to serviceability, investigations can concentrate on the deflections of such elements. This was visible while testing wall D, which had the greatest slenderness ratio. However, further research on the behaviour of slender reinforced masonry walls should be done, by following a different approach as explained in the recommendations at the end of this dissertation.