Experimental behavior of rowlock walls retrofitted with different details under cyclic loading

Abstract

In the Yangtze Basin and southern China, there are a large number of rural buildings with rowlock wall. Because China is an earthquake-prone country, the application and strengthening of rowlock wall houses in earthquake region is a critical issue. However, strengthening of rowlock wall house is lack of a clear code or specification. This study presents the cyclic loading test of four rowlock walls with different strengthening details. The test results demonstrate the damaged rowlock walls can restore their original ultimate bearing capacity; it is also indicated that the use of cracking mending with steel mesh mortar covering repaired the walls improves the seismic behavior of the rowlock wall.