Performance of concrete block shear walls

In this paper the preliminary analysis of test results from masonry walls subjected to in-plane quasi-static cyclic loading resulting in diagonal shear failure mode are presented. The tests were part of a comprehensive study conducted at the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary. The main focus of the study is to determine the effect of varying construction factors on the performance of shear walls. The parameters tested include the quantity and placement of vertical reinforcement; the quantity, placement and type of horizontal reinforcement; the vertical compressive force; the amount of grouting and the aspect ratio of the elements. The results obtained thus far include a detailed comparison of the strength and displacement of the walls at three critical stages: at the appearance of the first significant cracking, when the maximum load is reached and at ultimate displacement. In order to provide a full comparison between the specimens bilinear-idealized curves were plotted along with the calculation of the displacement ductility ratios. Furthermore a rough evaluation of the stiffness degradation and the dissipated energy will be presented and discussed in this paper.