Natural Period of Masonry in-Filled R/C Frame Structures Tested in Earthquake Field Investigation

Abstract

Masonry in-filled reinforcement concrete (R/C) structure is famous for its’ flexible space arrangement, easy construction and high force resistant capacity as well as its’ high ductility. However, in recent destructive earthquakes happened in China, more and more severe damages of masonry in-filled R/C frame structures have been observed due to either unreasonable design or unexpected-high ground motion exceeding the seismic design intensity mostly. In the field investigation for the 2010 Yushu Ms7.1 earthquake of China, 6 masonry in-filled R/C frame buildings, were in-situ tested by using the ambient vibration method. Both of the test results of the natural period for each structure as well as their damage mechanism were described and analyzed simply. The test results provide reference data for nonlinear numerical analysis and retrofitting of earthquake damaged RC frame structures.