Experimental Investigation of Unreinforced Masonry Building Having Insufficient Loadbearing Wall Lenght According to Turkish Earthquake Code Rules

In this study, 3x3x3 m sized, single-story, full-scale (1:1) unreinforced masonry building having insufficient loadbearing-wall length because of window and door openings according to Turkish earthquake code rules was investigated experimentally under the cyclic load effect. Cyclic load was carried out via hydraulic load-jack mounted on reaction wall, and the damages occurred under the influence of cyclic load were marked on the building. The displacement values were recorded by seven displacement transducers and data recording system. When the obtained values were evaluated, it was observed that the building behaved approximately linear to 75% of maximum load, and damage did not occur in these cycles except a few capillary cracks. After this load level, it was determined that the building dissipated energy with opened-closed cracks, and bearing capacity reached ultimate capacity about 0,013 relative storey drift rate. As a result, it is evaluated that loadbearing-wall length is the important factor for cause of damage, and it is necessary to observe the code rules meticulously.