Seismic behavior and repairability of new composite concrete block wall with distributed slipping damage

Abstract

In this paper, a new composite concrete block is proposed, matching the thin-layer masonry process, which can reduce the construction cost and improve the efficiency. To investigate the seismic behavior of this new composite concrete block wall (NCCBW), horizontal low circumferential reciprocating load tests of two NCCBW specimens with different axial compression ratios are carried out. The test results show that the NCCBW has distributed slipping damage characteristics, good bearing and deformation capacity, and the ductility coefficients of the specimens W1 and W2 with axial compression ratios of 1.0 and 1.6 are 6.31 and 4.82, respectively. Afterwards, based on the test results, the seismic shear capacity calculation method applicable to NCCBW is modified and established, and the average error between the predicted values and the corresponding test results is 4.5 %, which provides a reference for the engineering application of this structure. Finally, the specimen W1 is repaired using the textile reinforced mortar (named specimen RW) and then tested again. The test results show that NCCBW has good repairability, and the peak bearing capacity of the specimen RW is 24.7 % higher than that of the specimen W1, and it still maintains good deformation capacity and integrity after interface separation. In summary, this NCCBW, with good seismic behavior and post-earthquake repairability, is particularly suitable for earthquake-prone areas in real-world scenarios.