MAID - Seismic behaviour of L- and T-shaped unreinforced Masonry shear walls including Acoustic Insulation Devices

This report presents the two phases of the SERIES project TA5 EQUALS MAID.
The purpose of the first phase is to elaborate a better understanding of the seismic behaviour of masonry walls in dynamic conditions and to investigate the consequences of the use of rubber elements aiming at improving the acoustic performance of buildings. The tested specimens are four simple unreinforced clay masonry walls, two of them including rubber soundproofing devices at the bottom and top of the wall . Results demonstrate a significant rocking behaviour and comparisons between the four specimens provide useful information about the influence of the aspect ratio of the walls and of the presence of rubber devices. The second phase has a double purpose. The first objective is to characterize the frame effects in masonry shear walls coupled by horizontal elements (concrete lintel and slab). The second objective is to study the influence of
the presence of walls perpendicular to the earthquake action. The second test series consists thus in two specimens made of two walls with horizontal cross-section respectively in T and L shape coupled at their top by a lintel and a slab. Different loading conditions are also considered, with a slab resting on entire walls or only on part of them.