Out-of-plane performance of a partially filled reinforced concrete masonry wall with Ribraft_TM floor
Abstract
This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation by Singh (1998) [1], into the serviceability and strength performance of a full-scale reinforced concrete masonry wall with RibraftTM floor. The wall was C-shaped in plan and was partially grouted. The results show that the masonry wall behaved in a ductile manner, and that response remained elastic to an out-of-plane load of approximately 6 kPa. The wall reached the Ultimate Limit State deflection criterion of 50 mm (2% drift) at a load of 7.6 kPa. The crack and deflection patterns were as predicted by the yield-line theory, which however, provided a conservative estimate of the out-of-plane failure load of 5.0 kPa. The test was halted at a load of 10.7 kPa at which point the main wall had not collapsed and was still being supported by the return walls. The RibraftTM floor behaved elastically, except for a local failure restricted to minor spalling of the wall foundations.