Reversed in-plane cyclic behavior of post-tensioned clay brick masonry walls for high performance modular housing

Initial experimental results of a research program aimed at investigation of post-tensioned clay masonry walls for high performance modular housing are presented. A series of five large scale reversed cyclic tests on double-wythe clay brick masonry walls are discussed. Each of the five walls contain different details with the objective being to identify the characteristics of each such that choices depending on required performance can be made. The basic behavioral mechanism that is a characteristic of unbonded post-tensioned masonry walls is discussed, followed by details of the performance of each test. Results indicate that walls with unbonded post-tensioning steel performed best in terms of deformation capacity, and strength degradation. Particularly good performance was achieved by confining the compression toe regions of unbonded walls.