SEISMIC PERFORMANCE RESEARCH ON PREFABRICATED CONCRETE-BLOCK WALLS WITH STRUCTURE OR CORE COLUMNS

To explore the effects of ratios of shear spans to effective depths, axial pressure, and structural measures on seismic performances of prefabricated concrete-block walls, low cycle reciprocated loading tests on six block walls were conducted and hysteretic characteristics, bearing capacity, stiffness degradation and ductility of the prefabricated concrete-block walls were analyzed. The results showed that the seismic performances of walls were significantly affected by structure columns or core columns, and ratios of shear spans to effective depths and axial pressure could significantly influcence shear capacities of walls. In practical engineering, the seismic performances of the walls could be improved by adding appropriate structure columns or core columns.