Effects of scale and loading rate with tests of concrete and masonry structures

Static and dynamic response of large-scale and reduced-scale test structures are correlated to discern effects attributable to scale and loading rate. Three case studies are presented where reduced-scale models were subjected to dynamic excitation using a shaking table. The test structures were: (a) multi-story reinforced masonry building systems, (b) two-story unreinforced masonry bearing and shear wall systems, and (c) ten-story reinforced concrete frame-wall systems. For each study, static testing of either critical components, or of the complete structural system, was done at a large scale to examine differences attributable to the modeling method, or to the loading procedure.