Journal Published Online: 21 September 2007
Volume 31, Issue 2

Influence of Test Method on Direct Shear Behavior of Segmental Retaining Wall Units

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

This paper reports the results of interface shear testing carried out to investigate the influence of test methodology on shear-displacement behavior of five different segmental (modular) masonry concrete block configurations. The tests were carried out in general conformance with existing ASTM and National Concrete Masonry Association test protocols. Three different normal load arrangements were investigated: (1) flexible airbag, (2) fixed vertical piston, and (3) an adjustable vertical piston. A video-extensometer camera device was used to record block deformations in the vertical plane during testing. The test results showed that the three load arrangements gave similar shear capacity failure envelopes for the frictional block system with flat concrete surfaces. For more typical block systems with concrete shear keys and trailing lips that exhibit dilatant interface shear behavior, or a system with shear pins, the most consistent test results were developed using the flexible airbag arrangement. The results of this paper can be used to guide the selection of the loading arrangement for conventional laboratory modular block shear testing.

Author Information

Bathurst, Richard
Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Althoff, Sebastian
Fachhochschule Muenster—University of Applied Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering, Muenster, Germany
Linnenbaum, Peter
Fachhochschule Muenster—University of Applied Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering, Muenster, Germany
Pages: 9
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: GTJ100911
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ100911