The integral masonry system with adobe block tested in Lima for earthquake resistance

Abstract

This paper presents an adaptation of the Integral Masonry System (IMS) developed in Europe under the “AllWall System” trade name for concrete or clay, block or brick masonry walls using just mortar. In this case the system is modified for an adobe block infill to allow the construction of earthquake resistant housing in developing countries. When adobe block is employed as an infill it is impossible to transfer the bond stresses of the reinforcement bars as these structures are not bonded with mortar and the reinforcement then has to transfer the stresses purely within the reinforcement. The truss-shaped reinforcement may intersect in the three spatial directions and allow the construction of reinforced walls and slabs. It is then only necessary to infill with locally made adobe blocks or flooring in order to provide sufficient rigidity to the structure. A two-storey, 6x6x6 m, adobe building employing the IMS system has been tested for earthquake resistance at half scale at the PCUP (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru) in Lima in collaboration with the UPM (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) to test the viability of this new type of building construction for seismic areas in the Third World. The test results have shown that the IMS system with adobe block remained stable without significant cracking even under 130 mm displacement seismic movement, equivalent to 10.0 on the Richter magnitude scale.