AAC Shear Wall Specimens: Development of Test Setup and Preliminary Results

The specimens tested for this thesis are the first and second of a series of AAC shear walls being tested under the auspices of the AACA. The overall objective of the test series is to develop behavioral models that can form the basis for code-type design provisions for AAC elements and systems in seismic zones. The specimens presented in this thesis are pilot specimens for the project used to develop construction techniques, improve testing procedures, and acquire preliminary results used to improve behavioral models. The behavior of the specimens is summarized and the implications of that behavior are reviewed.