Quasi-static flow-type loading tests for the out of plane performance assessment of full-scale masonry infill walls in reinforced concrete frames

Existing performance assessment methods for structures subjected to flow-type loading (i.e., flood, tsunami) rely on assumptions and previous knowledge derived from other hazards, such as earthquakes. However, flow-type induced loads on structures are fundamentally different in nature from seismic action, inducing long-duration non-uniform pressures on inundated components. Flume or wave basin tests on large-scale structural components under fluid loading are limited due to the difficulties in scaling. The present paper proposes a novel quasi-static testing method for performing full-scale tests on masonry infill walls in reinforced concrete (RC) frames subjected to simulated flow-type loading in a structural laboratory setting. The innovative test set up involves the use of an array of 28 pneumatic actuators and a novel testing procedure (i.e. test set-up and load protocols) is developed for simulating quasi-statically flow-type induced loads with increasing flow depth on full-scale building components. The feasibility of the proposed testing method is herein demonstrated on four full-scale masonry infill walls (dimensions 4.2 m x 2.3 m) in RC frames. The tests allow for the out of plane (OOP) performance of masonry infill walls to be assessed under flow-type loading conditions with increasing flow depth. Masonry walls are tested with and without plaster to point out the effect of the latter on the overall capacity of the wall. Original experimental data from flow-type testing are presented and discussed to provide insights into the OOP capacity of infill walls under flow-type loading. Finally, the OOP performance of infill walls under flow-type loading is compared with that of the same specimen previously tested under seismic loading conditions. Results attest the feasibility of the proposed testing method to characterise the structural response of full-scale building components under flow-type loading.