## 2 Materials and Methods
### Experimental Program
#### 2.2.3 Loading Scheme and Test Equipment  
The test loading device is shown in Figure 9. The proposed static test was performed under horizontal low-cyclic reciprocating loading by using the MTS servo loading system. The MTS actuator has a displacement stroke of 500 mm and a loading rate of 0.5 mm/s. A quasistatic loading system was also used for this test. The column's highest point was subjected to horizontal and low-cyclic reciprocating loading. The actuator was designed to ensure that the structure was loaded and unloaded repeatedly in the positive direction (PD) and negative direction (ND) to simulate the structural forces and deformations under reciprocal shaking during earthquakes [23].  
The test employed a slow and continuous loading method. According to the provisions in the GB 50011-2010, three joints with a thickness of 2 mm were preloaded to ensure that there was no gap between the actuator and the steel frame. Consequently, the frame was installed, and the components were connected successfully. The interlayer displacement angles of 1/600, 1/500, 1/400, 1/200, 1/100, and 1/50 were used to control the loading.  
Figure 8: Images depicting the different stages of test piece installation: (**a**) installation of the steel frame; (**b**) installation of AAC wall panels; (**c**) installation of bolts; (**d**) application of mortar in AAC joints; (**e**) completed installation.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Comprehensive** & **Dry Density** & **Modulus of** & **Drying Shrinkage** & **Coefficient of Heat** & **Freezing** \\
**Strength** & & **Elasticity** & **Value** & **Conductivity** & **Resistance** \\ \hline
3.5 MPa & 508 kg/m\({}^{3}\) & 1700 MPa & 0.33 mm/m & 0.128 W/(m\(\cdot\)K) & 3.6 MPa \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 3: Technical specifications of the AAC panel.  
The test ended when key parts, such as the beam-column joints, were damaged or when the structural load carrying capacity was reduced to less than 85% of the ultimate load [24]. The test loading regime is shown in Figure 10.  
Displacement gauges were arranged symmetrically at both ends of the steel beam to measure the displacement of the beam ends. Similarly, displacement gauges were arranged symmetrically at both ends of the lower end plate of the steel beam to measure the normal phase displacement, from which the relative turning angle was calculated. Displacement meters were arranged at the ground beam to determine whether relative sliding occurred during specimen loading [25]. As shown in Figure 11a, the displacement was measured using a spring-loaded self-resetting linear displacement sensor. As shown in Figure 11b, the strain and displacement data were collected using the DH3818Y LCD static strain test system produced by Donghua Test Corporation. As shown in Figure 11c, a crack width tester was used to observe cracks.  
During the installation of the steel frame, the AAC wall panel and steel frame were connected to the MTS servo loading system in the same manner as in Figure 9. Preloading is performed after the connection is completed to ensure that the MTS servo loading is firmly connected to the steel frame. Before the test starts, the test apparatuses shown in Figure 11a,b are installed at the foot of the column and at the end of the beam according to the test design position. The purpose of using displacement meters is to measure and determine if there is out-of-plane displacement and rotation as a way to ensure that the MTS is loaded on the same level. After the test preloading was completed, the loading  
Figure 10: Loading system.  
Figure 9: Diagram of the loading device used.  
regime was carried out slowly and smoothly according to Figure 10. Throughout the test, Figure 11c was used to observe the cracks produced by the wall panels. The crack observer measures the width of the cracks. It is recorded and labeled during the test.