Modification methods for infilled RC frames with and without openings with slides and formed steel: Experimental study

Abstract

In this article, four pseudo-static tests of infilled RC frames were performed, including an unmodified solid infilled RC frame, an unmodified infilled RC frame with opening and two innovative structural designed specimens for the two original ones respectively. The solid bricks were made of rice husk and Magnesium oxysulfate cement, which is a recently developed environmental friendly thermal insulating material in China. The results of the tests showed that the two modified infilled RC frames provided better seismic performance than two original specimens in ductility, out-of-plane stability, stiffness degradation, etc. The modification also diminished the short-column effect of the infilled frames with opening.