Experimental Study of Partially Masonry Infilled Reinforced Concrete Frame under Lateral Loading

Abstract

The partially infilled frames are considered vulnerable in terms of captive column effect for the events of earthquakes. Many reinforced concrete buildings have been affected due to captive column effects. Experimental study has been done to verify the captive column effect and its failure modes for partially infilled frames and the results have been compared with the ones obtained for a bare frame subjected to lateral loading. The results of experimental study have also been compared with some analytical results and the verification of equivalent strut width proposed by one of the authors has been done. From the experimental point of view, it is understandable that due to lateral loading to partially infilled frames, the damage pattern is diagonal and the failure of column occurs at the column-wall joint at the upper side of the wall. It is also seen that for fifty percent partially infilled frames, the stiffness of bare frame is enhanced slightly, however, the failure in the column during lateral loading indicates that the columns are subjected to high shear due to the presence of partial infill.