Analytical modeling of nonlinear behavior of masonry infills in reinforced concrete frame buildings under seismic action

Abstract

 The presence of masonry infills significantly affects to the seismic response of reinforced con­crete (RC) frame structures. However, in the modern seismic codes, this issue has not been specifically addressed, especially when the structures are allowed to work beyond the elastic limit. The paper introduces a nonlinear behavior model of the masonry infills that the authors have set up and it has been applied to evaluate the seismic response of RC frames designed according to modern conception when considering the interaction with the masonry infills. The results of nonlinear static analysis show that the masonry infills are likely to cause a sudden collapse of the structures, override the seismic design of the structures and undermine the efforts of the designers.

Keywords: Masonry infills, reinforced concrete frame, nonlinear static analysis, nonlinear behavior model, interaction.

Received: September 15th, 2017; revised: October 30th, 2017; accepted: November 2nd, 2017