Cyclic testing of unreinforced masonry walls in two-way bending

Abstract

An experimental programme was conducted in which eight full-scale unreinforced masonry walls were subjected to cyclic face loading using a system of airbags. Of the eight walls, six contained a window opening and four were subjected to vertical pre-compression. Combined supports at the vertical and horizontal edges ensured that under face loading the walls underwent two-way bending. The test walls were found to possess good post-peak strength and displacement capacity as well as reasonable energy dissipation characteristics. Significant strength and stiffness degradation and non-symmetry of strength in the positive and negative displacement directions were also evident. Discussion of the cau..