Experimental investigation on seismic behaviour of self-heat-preserving shale masonry walls

Abstract

Perforated blocks made of shale as the matrix material were designed and constructed with holes drilled in a dense rectangular arrangement as a way of improving thermal insulation while retaining seismic performance. Compressive tests of single blocks and masonry prisms were conducted to determine their strength rating. Pseudo-static tests on masonry walls with and without openings were then conducted to evaluate seismic behaviour. It was found that the dense hole arrangement and the thin brittle walls improved thermal insulating properties but decreased ductility. To improve the seismic performance of the shale masonry walls, horizontally reinforced binding bands at 1/3 and 2/3 heights of the masonry walls and structural columns were applied and these indeed enhanced both the ultimate bearing strength and ductility. The experimental results indicate that this type of perforated block could be used for the construction of houses in earthquake-prone zones.