STUDY ON THE PSEUDO-STATIC TESTS OF TYPICAL BRICK MASONRY WALLS IN RURAL CHINA

The protection of rural housing is an important aspect in earthquake prevention and mitigation in China. To improve the aseismic capacity of brick masonry structures, a dominant structure format of rural housing in China, hence becomes very significant. To study the influence of different mortar strength, construction measures and window openings on seismic performance of brick masonry structure, this study firstly introduced the compressive strength test of several normal mortar and brick masonry used in brick masonry buildings. Subsequently, with different mortar strength, different construction measures and openings in the walls, pseudo static tests of twelve walls were conducted and the influence of different factors on the wall mechanical properties was analysed. The test results showed that the mortar strength has greater effects than the construction measures and open hole. Finally based on the experimental analysis results, the suggestions on earthquake disaster preparedness and mitigation for rural housing were proposed. This study is expected to provide guidance for seismic fortification, standard formulation, and construction of residential housing in rural China.