ABSTRACT
Three full-scale autoclave aerated concrete confined masonry walls were tested under constant axial compressive stress and incremental reverse cyclic loads until failure. The variable studied was the axial compressive stress. The behavior of walls was characterized by horizontal flexural cracks, followed by yielding of the longitudinal steel reinforcement of vertical confining elements. Then flexure-shear and diagonal cracks were observed. As expected, the wall flexural strength increased as the axial compressive stress increased. By the contrary, the displacements ductility increased as the axial compressive stress decreased. Finally, flexural strength of walls was well predicted using flexural theory (kinematics, constitutive models and equilibrium). The ratio between analytical and experimental strengths of walls varied from 0.95 to 1.05.
