NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- An Experimental Study of Concrete Masonry Under Seismic-Type Loading.
- File
- PB286744.pdf
- Author(s)
- Hegemier, G. A.; Krishnamoorthy, G.; Nunn, R. O.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Applied Science and Research Applications., January 1975, 41 p.
- Abstract
- An experimental study is outlined to define material rheology for concrete masonry under seismic-type loading for the development of a basis for a rational earthquake response and damage analysis. Elementary experiments on the basic constituents of concrete masonry and their interactions are conducted. Homogeneous and nonhomogeneous biaxial tests of panels under both quasistatic and dynamic cyclic load histories are carried out. The above is complemented by tests on typical connections to be discussed in a companion paper. The sequence culminates with studies of major structural elements. The ability to extrapolate from conceptually simple laboratory scale experiments to a wide variety of structural configurations, including full-scale building response to earthquake ground motion, is one of the most significant aspects of the project. It is pointed out that masonry is some 20 years or more behind concrete with respect to knowledge of material properties and that absence of comprehensive knowledge in this area can only invite potentially enormous safety and economic problems.
- Keywords
- Masonry; Earthquake resistant structures; Seismic loads; Construction joints; Earth movements; Ground motion; Earthquake engineering; Cyclic loads; Concrete products; Rheological properties; Concrete construction; Earthquakes