In this paper, the possibility of achieving a high level of ductility by flexural yielding in fully grouted reinforced concrete masonry shear walls is evaluated. Six full-scale walls were tested to failure under reversed cyclic lateral loading to investigate the effects of amount and distribution of vertical reinforcement and the level of axial compressive stress on the inelastic behavior and ductility. Results showed that yielding of the outermost vertical bars extended to a height equivalent to half the wall length. Also, the top wall displacement (drift) at the onset of yielding of the vertical reinforcement was highly dependent on the amount of reinforcement, but only minimally affected by the level of axial compressive load. However, at maximum loads, the displacements were less sensitive to either the amount of vertical reinforcement or the level of axial compression. Correspondingly, the displacement ductility was found to be very sensitive to the amount of vertical reinforcement, but was not dependent on the level of axial compression. In general, high levels of ductility and energy dissipation capabilities accompanied by relatively small strength degradation were observed for the test specimens.
