Response of reinforced mortar-less interlocking brick wall under seismic loading

Abstract Mortar-less construction with interlocking bricks has many advantages, such as improved efficiency and relatively low requirements on labour skills. Nevertheless, the seismic performance of brick structures is not well understood yet. In this paper, laboratory tests numerical modelling are carried out to investigate behaviour walls. Laboratory shaking table performed a scaled reinforced mortar-less wall. The response damage modes under in-plane loading investigated. A detailed model then generated validated testing data. Unlike conventional masonry wall that diagonal shear governs failure, exhibits rocking responses, whose mainly at two bottom corners Full-scale walls modelled compared concrete unit (CMU) bonded by mortar. Comparisons made between resistances influences ground motion intensities, vertical components excitations different time histories examined. It found higher resistance capacity than CMU Inter-brick friction main energy dissipation mechanism in Because response, component significantly insensitive velocity pulses motions due its high natural frequency.