A Beam-and-Column Based Macro Model for Masonry Infill Walls in RC Frames under Cyclic Loading

Abstract

Reinforced concrete (RC) frame with masonry infill walls is a very common structural system in low and medium rise buildings. The infill walls are usually considered as non-structural components in the design or assessment of buildings. However, many damages in earthquakes have shown that the infill walls can significantly change the structural response to seismic action. Consequently the evaluation of the seismic performance of RC frame with masonry infill walls becomes very important, and also turns to be a major challenge for structure engineers. In this paper a beam-and-column (BAC) macro model for walls is proposed to simulate the masonry infill walls in RC frames. In this model, the masonry panel is replaced by an equivalent rigid frame which is made up of some beam-and-column members. The geometric parameters of each member can be determined simply by equivalent stiffness combined with the original dimensions of wall panel. The physical characteristics are described directly by material properties of wall panel under investigation. To validate the rationality of proposed model, a masonry-infilled RC frame under cyclic reversed loading is analyzed by the proposed model. The results, including crack pattern, load versus displacement relation are then compared with the experiment response. Good agreements are found.