SHAKE-TABLE TESTS OF LARGE-SCALE SHEAR WALL AND INFILLED FRAME MODELS

In order to evaluate and compare the seismic performance of different types of wall construction, three 1/3 scale four-storey models of structural walls were tested dynamically to ultimate failure by subjecting each of them to a sequence of simulated earthquakes of progressively increasing magnitude on a 5 m x 5 m shaking table. The three models tested are respectively: a reinforced concrete shear wall structure; a masonry infilled reinforced-concrete frame structure; and a concrete infilled steel frame structure. They have the same overall dimensions and were designed to represent typical wall constructions. Before and at intervals during the shake-table tests, the models were also subjected to small amplitude vibration tests to measure their dynamic properties and the corresponding changes as the structures degraded. From the shake table and small amplitude vibration tests, the seismic behaviour, damage characteristics, structural degradations and dynamic shear strengths, etc., of the models are studied and compared. Two problems with the structural forms investigated are identified, and further studies are recommended.