Influence of infilled masonry wall on vibration properties and dynamic responses of building structures to earthquake ground excitations

Abstract

In analysis and design of structures to earthquake ground excitations, often only mass of the infilled masonrywalls are considered.Their stiffness and strength are neglected or only approximately considered by using equivalent brace elements. A number of empirical relations proposed by different researchers are available in the literature to derive the equivalent brace elements of infilled masonry walls. These empirical relations differ from each other. In this study, both experimental tests and numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the influence of infilled masonry wall on vibration properties and dynamic response and damage of RC frame structures to earthquake ground motions. The experimental test results will be used to calibrate the numerical models of RC frames with or without masonry infill. The calibrated numerical models are then used to perform a series of simulations of RC frames without or with masonry infill. The results are compared with those derived using equivalent brace members. The empirical formula of defining the equivalent brace members that leads to the best predictions of RC frame structures with masonry infill to earthquake ground excitations is identified.