Stress-strain relations for grouted concrete masonry under cyclic compression

Theoretical and numerical investigations on the response of masonry to earthquake or cyclic loading are inhibited by the non availability of a suitable material model. In this paper we address this important issue and present an appropriate and easy to implement material model for masonry subjected to cyclic compressive loading. The stress-strain response of grouted concrete masonry with and without lateral confining reinforcing steel to grout fill under cyclic compression was investigated. To confine the grout fill either a fine wire mesh commonly known as chicken mesh or the welded wire mesh fabric was used. Some specimens were tested under monotonic compression and the others were tested under either one, or five cycles of loading for each load level. The stress-strain curves are broken into envelope, common point, unloading and reloading curves. Each component of the curve was fitted with an algebraic equation which are reported in the paper.