ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the experimental results of a research program that investigates the factors affecting the out-of-plane stability of slender Reinforced Masonry Shear Walls (RMSW) subjected to in-plane reversed cyclic loading, and the suitability of height-to-thickness (h/t) limits as a sole criterion for wall stability. The National Building Code of Canada prescribes different ductility-related force modification factors, Rd, for the design of masonry walls, which are based on the expected level of seismic performance and range from 1.0 for "Unreinforced Masonry Shear Walls" to 3.0 for "Ductile Shear Walls." All vertical reinforcing bars were continuous over the wall height, without the use of lap splices, and were anchored in reinforced concrete footings. The chapter focuses on the second phase of the experimental research program, which includes the testing of 8 full-scale RMSW specimens of varying h/t and height-to-length ratios, vertical and horizontal reinforcement content and detailing, applied axial stress, and geometric plan layout.
