1 Willett Professor of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA, d-abrams@illinois.edu
ABSTRACT
Research on a new structural concept for seismically resistant buildings known as hybrid masonry is described. As part of the National Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) sponsored by the USA National Science Foundation, a multi-university research investigation is being done to identify and demonstrate earthquake resistance of this form of construction. An overview of coordinated research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Rice University and the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) is presented. Exploratory studies at UIUC have found that lateral strength of hybrid masonry is sufficient to resist seismic demand forces for buildings as tall as nine stories in high seismic zones. Experimental research at UHM has examined the force and deformation capacity of steel connector plates that are used to attach a reinforced concrete masonry panel to a surrounding steel frame, and the strength of steel-masonry interfaces. Work at Rice University has developed computational models that simulate lateral force-deflection behaviour of hybrid masonry. Large-scale tests of two-story, one-bay hybrid masonry frames at UIUC have provided benchmark data on strength, stiffness and ductility of sample structures subjected to repeated reversals of lateral displacements. Brief summaries of these studies are presented herein to serve as an overview.
Hybrid masonry has the potential to be a practical and economic form of construction in seismic regions. Such potential can be realized once research is done to further develop design and construction practices. This paper outlines how this research can be used to transform current seismic design practice, and by so doing, make structural masonry more competitive in regions of moderate and high seismicity.
KEYWORDS: reinforced concrete masonry, earthquake, shear walls, structural steel frame
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