• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.80 no.6
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• pp.689-699
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• 2021

The present study aims to understand the behaviour of low-strength masonry prisms constructed with locally-produced low-strength hollow concrete blocks. Compression tests were conducted on masonry prisms constructed with three different mortar grades of cement-sand ratios of 1:3, 1:4.5 and 1:6 representing strong, moderately strong and weak mortar. Stress-strain curves were generated from the test results for the masonry prisms. The hollow concrete masonry units employed in this study are some of the weakest as compared to other masonry units employed by other researchers. The compressive strengths for masonry prisms with mortar grades 1:3, 1:4.5 and 1:6 are 2.21 MPa, 2.19 MPa and 2.25 MPa respectively. The results indicate that the masonry compressive strength of such low-strength hollow concrete block masonry prisms is not influenced by the mortar strength. Simple relationships to estimate the modulus of elasticity and compressive strength of masonry prisms is also proposed.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.173-181
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• 2015

In this study, material tests were performed on the masonry specimens constructed with bricks and mortar used in Korea. The specimens included two types of thickness(0.5B and 1.0B) and physical conditions (good and poor). It was shown that 1.0B specimens have 3.2~1.8 times larger shear strength than 0.5B specimens and shear strength of specimens in poor condition was 66%~38% of those in good condition. Average shear stress of masonry-infills was calculated from previous experimental studies, and relationships with failure mode, material strength of masonry, aspect ratio, and frame-to-infill strength ratio were investigated. In addition, the effects of masonry strength on the seismic performance of a masonry-infilled frame was studied using a simple example building. It can be seen that the obtained average shear stress were considerably higher than the default masonry shear strength recommended by the ASCE 41, and low values the strength of masonry does not guarantee conservative evaluation results due to the early shear failure of frame members.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.121-135
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• 2014

Stone masonry structures are widely used around the world, but they deteriorate easily, due to low shear strength capacity. Many techniques have been developed to increase the shear strength of stone masonry constructions. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the performance of stone masonry walls strengthened by metal connectors as an alternative shear reinforcement technique. For this purpose, three new metal connector (clamp) types were developed. The shear strength of the walls was improved by applying these clamps to stone masonry walls. Ten stone masonry walls were structurally tested in diagonal compression. Various parameters regarding the in-plane behavior of strengthening stone masonry walls, including shear strength, failure modes, maximum drift, ductility, and shear modulus, were investigated. Experimentally obtained shear strengths were confirmed by empirical equations. The results of the study suggest that the new clamps developed for the study effectively increased the levels of shear strength and ductility of masonry constructions.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.113-126
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• 2024

In this study, the failure mechanisms of masonry-infilled frames, commonly employed in modern construction, are analyzed at the mesoscale. An equation has been formulated to predict various failure modes of masonry-infilled frames by examining 1392 frames. The equation takes into account variables such as the height-to-width ratio, compressive strength of the masonry prism, and plastic moment capacity of the frame section. The study reveals that the compressive strength of the masonry prism and the height-to-width ratio exert the most significant influence on the lateral strength of masonry-infilled frames with a height-to-width ratio ranging from 0.2 to 1.2. The developed equation demonstrates substantial agreement with previously reported relationships, indicating high accuracy. These findings provide valuable insights into the lateral strength of infill masonry frames, which can contribute to their improved evaluation and design.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.375-389
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• 2024

Installing wiring or plumbing fixtures necessitates creating chases within masonry walls, which, while serving practical purposes, raises a crucial concern regarding the potential compromise of the masonry's structural integrity. Given these concerns, it becomes essential to thoroughly understand the impact of incorporating chases on masonry strength. In this study, 37 AAC masonry prisms (200×330×100 mm³) were cast and tested for compression. The prisms were equipped with chases of various depths -10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm; and orientations (horizontal, inclined, and vertical), which were then filled with mortar using 1:2, 1:4, and 1:6 cement-to-sand ratios. The primary objectives were to assess the strength decrease in the prisms with different chase characteristics compared to a control specimen and to determine the percentage strength increase due to filling materials compared to unfilled chases. Key findings indicate that as chase depth increases, there is a substantial reduction in prism strength. However, the orientation of the chase does not significantly affect strength reduction. Importantly, filling the chases with mortar leads to a significant increase in prism strength. This study not only unveils the complex impact of chase characteristics on masonry strength but also emphasizes the crucial role of filling materials in strengthening these prisms.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.27-33
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to provide and evaluate the tensile properties of masonry element such as tensile strength, strain, modulus of elasticity and stress-strain relationship through the direct tension test with varies of mortar strength. From the experiment, the tension fracture was observed along the interfaces between the brick and the mortar. Tension properties of masonry element was significantly affected by compressive strength of mortar, $f_m$, indicating that higher tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of masonry element were obtained with increase of $f_m$. The strain of a masonry element was inversely proportional to $f_m$ due to the lower ductility of a higher mortar strength. A tensile stress-strain relationship of masonry element was generalized based on the numerical analysis and the regression analysis using test data. The proposed model shows fairly good agreement with the test measurements.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2023

This study investigated the rocking behavior of unreinforced masonry walls and wall piers under cyclic loading. Based on the benchmark tests, the characteristics of load-deformation relations in masonry walls with rocking failure were captured, focusing on observed deformation modes. The rocking strengths of masonry walls (i.e., peak and residual strengths) were evaluated, and the effects of opening configurations on the masonry wall strength were examined. The deformation capacity of the rocking behavior and the hysteresis shape of the load-deformation relations were also identified. Based on the results, modeling approaches for the rocking behavior of masonry walls were discussed.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.178-185
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• 2000

A set of tests were accomplished in order to get better insight of the basic material properties of masonry made of normal concrete brick and different type of mortar compositions. Three different types of test were performed. Masonry unit and prism were tested by compressive strength test, Masonry wallets were tested by compressive strength test. Masonry wallets were tested in diagonally under tension. A significant influence of different mortar compositions on compression strength of masonry prism was observed, The tests have shown that for diagonal compression three different mode of failure were possible : tension crack along the loaded diagonal sliding along a mortar joint and combined sliding and diagonal crack according to the adhesive strength of a mortar.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.21-32
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• 2021

Concrete masonry prisms are strengthened with steel fiber-reinforced mortar (SFRM) overlay and tested for compressive and diagonal tension strength. Masonry prisms are produced in poor condition considering standard workmanship for masonry buildings in Korea. Amorphous steel fibers are adopted for SFRM, and appropriate mixing ratios of SFRM are derived considering constructability and strength. Masonry prisms are strengthened with different fiber volume ratios, while numerous strengthened faces and additional reinforcing meshes are produced for compression and diagonal tension tests. Compression and diagonal tension strength are increased by up to 122% and 856%, respectively, and the enhancement effect for diagonal tension strength was superior compared to compression strength. Finally, the test results and strength prediction equations based on existing literature and regression analysis are compared.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2020

Prism compressive strength is the most influential parameter to evaluate the seismic performance of non-structural concrete brick masonry walls, and is affected by the practice and workmanship of masonry workers. This study experimentally investigates the influence of workmanship on prism compressive strength throughout the compressive test with prism specimens constructed according to masonry workmanship. To do this, the workmanship is categorized into good, fair, and poor conditions which are statistically evaluated with thickness and indentation depth of bed-joints. Then, the effect of workmanship on the structural properties of masonry prisms is evaluated by investigating relations between properties such as their compressive strength, elastic modulus and numerical parameters such as thickness, filling of bed-joints. This study demonstrates that the indentation depth is more important parameter for structural properties of masonry prisms and masonry prisms with loss in bed-joint area less than of 7% can be in fair condition.