ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the experimental investigation of frictional capacities of three different brick surfaces at realistic boundary conditions and loading regime. It explores the experimental findings of the topological Semi Interlocking Masonry (SIM) unit during static and dynamic loading. The chapter describes the experimental results on the friction behavior of mortar-less SIM joints under dynamic and cyclic loading. Mortar-less joints of SIM could be dry or could have some non-adhesive gap filler for improving SIM's water penetration and thermal insulation. In seismic areas SIM can be used in the form of mortar-less engineered panels, which have significant energy dissipation capacity due to the sliding friction between bricks induced during an earthquake. To increase ductility, often masonry is combined with more ductile materials like ductile reinforced concrete frame with masonry panels. According to his system, units in masonry infill panels are capable of relative sliding in-plane of a wall and interlocked to prevent relative sliding out-of-plane of a wall.
