Examination of the earthquake-induced failure mechanism of intentionally damaged rammed earth walls via shaking table experiments

Abstract

Rammed earth structures represent sustainable construction systems that provide thermal and acoustic efficiency while utilizing locally available, environmentally friendly materials. Despite their extensive historical and contemporary applications, a significant research gap remains regarding their seismic performance. Addressing this gap, the present study introduces a novel experimental investigation on the dynamic behavior of an intentionally damaged rammed earth wall specimen. The wall was designed in an L-shaped configuration, intentionally incorporating pre-existing damage to explore the seismic performance of rammed earth structures. The experimental program employed a shaking table to subject the wall to a series of strong ground motion inputs, enabling detailed monitoring of its dynamic response. Crack patterns and failure mechanisms, displacement profiles, and acceleration histories were systematically analyzed. The results of the study can be evaluated both in terms of structures that were deliberately damaged to investigate to earthquake response and in terms of the seismic behavior of existing damaged structures. It can be stated that; by integrating intentional design modifications with experimental testing, the research contributes to the broader objective of developing sustainable, earthquakeresistant earthen construction techniques suitable for both heritage preservation and contemporary applications.