Shaking table experiment of a recycled concrete block masonry building structure with a ‘self-contained’ structural system

Abstract

This paper proposed a ‘self-contained’ structural system for structural columns and ring beams and used recycled concrete blocks (RCBs) as wall materials. Based on this design concept, a full-scale model of a new masonry building structure was established. The Castaic wave, the Taft wave, and an artificial wave were sequentially input to the shaking table, and the effects of different ground motions on the structural model were simulated. The changes in the natural frequency and damping ratio of the test model and the acceleration, displacement, and strain responses of the structure were studied under different seismic wave excitations. Finally, the overall seismic resistance of the model was determined. The results showed that the ‘self-contained’ structure system exhibited excellent cooperative performance. Moreover, the test model can fully meet the degree-7 seismic fortification requirements, in which the damage sustained from small earthquakes is not substantial, the damage sustained from moderate earthquakes can be repaired, and the damage sustained from large earthquakes does not cause structural failure. The results showed that RCBs can replace ordinary concrete blocks in practical engineering projects. However, the construction measures for the door and window openings should be strengthened in actual projects.