Abstract:

In order to meet the overall seismic strengthening requirements of seismic damage frame structures,a new strengthening method of embedding the RC (Reinforced Concrete)-aerated concrete block wall into the frame structure was proposed,and the feasibility of the proposed method was discussed by a model test.First,one 1∶ 2 scale concrete frame specimen was pre-damaged to a large earthquake damage state.Then,by embedding the com- posite wall into the frame structure,the reinforcement work was completed.Finally,a seismic performance test was conducted on the specimen again.According to the experimental results,the original frame and the seismic damage-reinforced frame are analyzed in terms of the failure process and the hysteresis curve characteristics,and are compared in terms of the bearing capacity,the stiffness and the deformation capacities.The results show that,as compared with the original frame,the bearing capacity of large earthquake damage frames strengthened with aer- ated concrete block composite walls is almost the same or even slightly improved,with greater equivalent lateral stiffness and energy dissipation capacity in the yield and the ultimate stages as well as with slightly worse deforma- tion capacity and energy dissipation in the destruction stage,which means that the proposed method is possibly feasible.

Key words: frame structure, aerated concrete block composite wall, earthquake damage, strengthening, seismic performance