RECENT EXPERIMENTS WITH CONFINED CONCRETE BLOCK MASONRY WALLS

This paper summarizes the results of test performed at IMME of UCV on nine full- scale confined masonry load-bearing walls subjected to alternating and increasing horizontal loads. Variables, such as the type of block, aspect ratio and gravity load were considered. The results obtained are given in terms of capacity to dissipate energy by non-linearity of the materials, stiffness degradation, ductility, and drift limits. The effectiveness of this component was also measured against that of elasto-perfectly-plastic systems. Some design proposals that could possibly be used as standard for structural masonry are also presented.