Author

ADELL, J. and G-SANTOS, A. and ORTA, B. and BUSTAMANTE, R.
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Dpto. Const. y Tecnología Arquitectónicas
PEÑA, J.
AllWall Systems, S.L
BLONDET, M. and GINOCCHIO, F. and V-GARCÍA, G.
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Dpto. Estructuras

Abstract

This paper presents an adaptation of the Integral Masonry System (IMS) developed in Europe under the trade name of the “AllWall System”, for adobe without mortar or hollow clay masonry walls with mortar, in order to allow the construction of housing in developing urban areas that are subject to seismic loads.
IMS uses prefabricated galvanized electro-welded wire truss-reinforcement. This truss reinforcement may intersect in three orthonormal directions and allows the construction of reinforced walls and slabs using these lightweight and manageable components. These only require infilling with block masonry to provide sufficient rigidity to the structure to resist design loads.
A one half scale model of a two-storey 3 x 3 x 3 m adobe based integral masonry system structure has been tested on a shaking table at the PUCP (Pontifica Universidad Católica del Perú) in Lima (2008). This work completed in collaboration with the UPM (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) seeks to assure the viability of this new type of building construction for seismic loads. A similar test has also been completed with hollow brick in 2009, by the same Universities. Both building test where done in four different stages of horizontal desplacement (3, 5, 8 and 13cm)in only one direction finishing at the maximum capability of the sismic platform in the laboratory.
These results have shown that the Earthquake – Integral Masonry System remains stable without significant cracking in adobe (2009) and without any cracks in hollow brick (2009) when subjected to seismic loads.

Key words
Integral Masonry System, earthquake resistant construction, adobe and hollow brick masonry, prefabricated truss-reinforcement