Study on earthquake resistance technology of composite masonry buildings in Bhutan Part 3: Element tests on reduce-scaled rammed earth walls

摘要

This paper reports element tests on six rammed earth wallrnspecimens. The parameters studied involved: loading mechanism,rnramming process, and strengthening mechanism. The test resultsrnshowed that rammed earth layer of 60 mm has higher strengthrncharacteristics compared to the 120 mm layer. The strengtheningrnintervention with the use of reinforced concrete dowel improvesrnthe strength of the rammed earth walls significantly in shearrn(28.2%) and marginally in bending (3.71%).