https://doi.org/10.4322/2026360255503
Clayton Pettit(a), cpettit@ualberta.ca
Dina Helmy(b), dhelmy@ualberta.ca
Amr Ba Rahim(c), abarahim@ualberta.ca
Cristián Sandoval(d), cristian.sandoval@uc.cl
Carlos Cruz-Noguez(e), cruznogu@ualberta.ca
(a) Assistant Professor; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; University of Alberta; Edmonton, AB,
Canada
(b) Ph.D. Student; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; University of Alberta; Edmonton, AB, Canada
(c) Research Assistant; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; University of Alberta; Edmonton, AB, Canada
(d) Associate Professor; Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile,
Casilla 306, Correo 22, Santiago, Chile
(e) Associate Professor; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; University of Alberta; Edmonton, AB,
Canada
ABSTRACT
Partially-grouted concrete block masonry walls are an attractive gravity and lateral load resisting
system when compared with fully grouted masonry walls, primarily due to their reduced seismic mass,
improved thermal efficiency, and constructability. In this masonry type, only those holes containing vertical
bars are filled with either concrete or grout, while the rest of the spaces remain empty. The presence of
voids in partially-grouted creates difficulties in analyzing the wall system using conventional
mechanics-based methods. This, compounded with the complexities associated with the block-mortar and
block-grout interfaces, has resulted in a noticeable lack of understanding towards the behaviour of
partially-grouted walls under in-plane lateral loads. In this study, a finite element methodology for
micro-modeling of partially-grouted concrete block masonry walls subjected to in-plane loading is
developed. Within the modeling framework, all cementitious components (masonry units, mortar, and
grout) are separately modeled as two-dimensional solid continuum elements while reinforcing bars as
beam elements. Interfaces existing between the masonry units, mortar, and grout are accounted for and
defined through contact-based cohesion models. Several experimental studies were selected to validate
the model and ensure the robustness of the modeling methodology under different loading scenarios and
wall configurations. Key design parameters including aspect ratio, reinforcement size and quantity, and
applied axial stress were then investigated through an extensive parametric study to determine the impact
they have on the in-plane shear capacity of the wall system. While preliminary, the micro-modeling
methodology can be expanded upon to further enhance the behavioural understanding of partially-grouted
masonry walls subjected to in-plane shear.
Keywords: Masonry, Shear Walls, Partially-Grouted, Finite Element, Micro-Modeling