On the seismic performance of autoclaved aerated concrete self-insulation block walls

Abstract

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) self-insulation block masonry is often used for the infill walls in steel and concrete frame structures. To work together with the frame under earthquake action, it is essential to understand the seismic behavior of AAC self-insulation block masonry walls. In this paper, six AAC self-insulation block masonry walls were experimentally studied under the pseudo static test. The load-displacement hysteretic curves were drawn with the test data. The failure characteristics, loading capacity, stiffness degeneration, energy dissipation capacity and hysteretic behavior are analyzed. The results indicate that the blocks underwent internal failure due to the lower strength with a larger size, but the walls had good energy dissipation capacity with a rational bearing capacity. Accompanied by the influence of vertical compressive stress on the top surface of the walls, the cracking resistance, ultimate bearing capacity, deformability and energy dissipation capacity of the walls were affected by the masonry mortar joints. Comparatively, the walls with thin-layer mortar joints had better seismic performance than those with insulation mortar joints or with vertical joints filled by mineral wool plates. Finally, the shear capacity of the walls under seismic load is evaluated referring to the formulas of current design codes for masonry walls.