Structural Engineering and Mechanics

Volume 97, Number 1, 2026, pages 55-88

DOI: 10.12989/sem.2026.97.1.055

Seismic performance assessment of autoclaved aerated concrete masonry buildings through shake table testing and finite element analysis

Ali Kaya , Suleyman Adanur , Fezayil Sunca , Ali F. Genç , Murat Gunaydin , Ahmet C. Altunisik

Abstract

Autoclaved aerated concrete has garnered increasing attention due to its structural capabilities, owing to its high ratio of strength to weight and its minimal bulk density. The autoclaved aerated concrete has a notable benefit in its lightweight nature, which proves advantageous for seismic performance in areas prone to earthquakes. The objective of this research is to investigate the response of a half-scale unreinforced masonry structure, constructed with autoclaved aerated concrete, to seismic forces through the utilization of shake table tests. The building prototypes were subjected to seven distinct simulated earthquake forces using a shake table. Incremental seismic data were employed to evaluate the structural damage condition of the building. For the purpose of examining structural deterioration in a controlled setting, ambient vibration measurements were taken prior to and after seismic excitation. These measurements allowed for the determination of the dynamic properties of the masonry structure in both undamaged and damaged phases, which were then assessed for consistency with finite element analysis findings. The similarity in the results is satisfactory. In the undamaged condition, there was a 3.30% variance between the natural frequencies obtained through experimental and numerical means, while in the damaged state, this difference increased to 4.23%. Although the model exhibited satisfactory earthquake performance in the destructive earthquake data, it exhibited a brittle behavior in the sinusoidal wave with high acceleration levels and was severely damaged to the collapse level.

Key Words

ambient vibration test; autoclaved aerated concrete; finite element analysis; shake table test; unreinforced masonry

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