Comparison of Seismic Performance of Adobe Structures Strengthened with Two Different Schemes

This paper presents the results of an investigation of dynamic behaviours of strengthened adobe structures. These structures were strengthened using two different schemes which were inexpensive and simple to apply. The dynamic testing was carried out on a shaking table which applied the loading corresponding to the 1995 Kobe earthquake record sequentially in increments of 25%. The structural damage to a model was divided into different damage grades using a quantitative measure of vulnerability. Although some differences were observed in the stiffness of the models in their undamaged state, the stiffness of both of them became similar in the damaged state. The changes in the fundamental frequency of the structure corresponded to the changes in the stiffness. The difference in the base shear demand of both models did not exceed more than 15%. The hysteresis loops of the tested structures turned non-symmetric at a peak ground acceleration of nearly 1.10 g. The models exhibited higher lateral load capacities in one direction of loading as compared to the other direction. The ductility and energy dissipation were also higher in one direction of loading. The performance of the tested structures was categorised into four performance levels and the data of drift, ductility, damping and period corresponding to each level have been reported.