Shaking table test of seismic strengthened brick-adobe structure

Recognizing the poor seismic performance of brick-adobe structures in the northwest rural areas of China, this paper proposes a 'weak framework' reinforcement method as the following, carving grooves in both sides of adobe wall at key regions and symmetrically plastering horizontal and vertical reinforcement mortar strips; reinforcing the brick column by mortar surface layer and angle steel; and connecting the wooden roof and reinforcement motor strips by thick wire at the top of adobe wall. A shaking table test of 1/2 scale reinforced specimen was conducted, and the structural damage and seismic response were investigated to verify the effectiveness of the reinforcement method. The results indicate that under rare earthquake with intensity degree of 9, the specimen still showed sufficient capacity and deformability. The result shows that the reinforcement still works even when the stiffness has a reduction of 67.72% and 77.77% in X and Y direction, respectively. The reinforcement can effectively improve adobe wall's seismic behaviors and limit the occurrence of cracks; the maximum drift reaches 1/22, 1/19 in X and Y direction, respectively, indicating the structural ductility is improved and the anti-collapsed performance can be enhanced under rare earthquakes. © 2019, Editorial Office of Journal of Building Structures. All right reserved.