Sustainable reinforced masonry walls under lateral in-plane load: Experimental behavior and code-based predictions

• We test 8 partially grouted thin squat shear walls with bed joint reinforcement.
• The proposed conceptual housing design appears technically feasible for sustainable masonry.
• Code equations over-estimated the strength of the walls if bending–shear interaction is ignored.
• The MSJC 2008 and the BS 5628 2005 shear strength equations gave the best predictions.

Reducing the quantities of materials is an effective means of increasing environmental sustainability. To improve the environmental sustainability of hollow unit reinforced masonry low-rise structures in hurricane or earthquake-prone regions, it is reasonable to use squat walls with horizontal reinforcement in the form of steel mesh. Eight near full-scale walls were tested with control variables as the type and amount of horizontal reinforcement—masonry mesh; fabric reinforcement, and hexagonal wire mesh. Also, the type of masonry unit was 150 mm concrete, 150 mm clay, and 100 mm clay. The walls were tested under in-plane lateral monotonic load to failure and the load–displacement behavior and crack patterns were recorded. The investigation focused on the ultimate load conditions and code-based equations were used to determine theoretical failure loads for comparison with the test failure loads. Given the significance of shear to the response of squat walls, 7 shear strength equations from various codes and other studies were investigated, as well as a failure criterion that considers bending–shear interaction. The performance of the walls was favorable in terms of structural requirements hence can be used for sustainable construction in the manner proposed. Code-based strength equations can be used to design the walls but it is necessary to account for bending–shear interaction.