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Abstract:
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Design of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC ) masonry in the United States is currently based on Appendix A of the 2008 Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC ) Code . Those provisions include the design of lap splices , and equations for the nominal capacity in interface shear transfer between grout and AAC . The provisions for lap splices are an extension of the provisions for concrete or clay masonry , modified to neglect the contribution of AAC to splice capacity . This thesis describes a testing program aimed at verifying the current provisions using tests of lap splices in grouted AAC masonry . Based on the results of those tests , the provisions are shown to be appropriate . The provisions on interface shear transfer between grout and AAC require that the transferred shear be checked against a nominal capacity based on limited test results . This thesis describes a testing program aimed at verifying and refining this nominal capacity using pullout tests of grout cores in AAC masonry units . Based on the results of those tests , the currently used nominal capacity is shown to be conservative , and a recommendation is made to increase it . |