Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, 200240, Pakistan.
Center of Research, Faculty of Engineering, Future University in Egypt, New Cairo, 11835, Egypt.
Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 4;13(1):10770. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-37159-0.
The current research presents a novel and sustainable load-bearing system utilizing cellular lightweight concrete block masonry walls. These blocks, known for their eco-friendly properties and increasing popularity in the construction industry, have been studied extensively for their physical and mechanical characteristics. However, this study aims to expand upon previous research by examining the seismic performance of these walls in a seismically active region, where cellular lightweight concrete block usage is emerging. The study includes the construction and testing of multiple masonry prisms, wallets, and full-scale walls using a quasi-static reverse cyclic loading protocol. The behavior of the walls is analyzed and compared in terms of various parameters such as force-deformation curve, energy dissipation, stiffness degradation, deformation ductility factor, response modification factor, and seismic performance levels, as well as rocking, in-plane sliding, and out-of-plane movement. The results indicate that the use of confining elements significantly improves the lateral load capacity, elastic stiffness, and displacement ductility factor of the confined masonry wall in comparison to an unreinforced masonry wall by 102%, 66.67%, and 5.3%, respectively. Overall, the study concludes that the inclusion of confining elements enhances the seismic performance of the confined masonry wall under lateral loading.
当前的研究提出了一种新颖且可持续的承重系统，利用多孔轻集料混凝土砌块砌体墙。这些砌块以其环保特性和在建筑行业日益普及而广为人知，其物理和机械特性已得到广泛研究。然而，这项研究旨在通过在多孔轻集料混凝土砌块使用新兴的地震活跃地区，检验这些墙体的抗震性能，进一步拓展先前的研究。该研究包括使用拟静力反向循环加载协议，构建和测试多个砌体棱柱体、壁板和全尺寸墙体。根据力-变形曲线、能量耗散、刚度退化、变形延性系数、反应修正系数以及抗震性能水平等参数，分析和比较了墙体的行为，还分析了摇摆、平面内滑动和平面外移动。结果表明，与未加筋砌体墙相比，约束砌体墙采用约束构件可显著提高侧向承载能力、弹性刚度和位移延性系数，分别提高了 102%、66.67%和 5.3%。总体而言，研究得出结论，在侧向加载下，约束构件的加入增强了约束砌体墙的抗震性能。
