Post-yield Damping Ratio Estimation Studies for Masonry-Infilled Reinforced Concrete Frames

Abstract

Damping ratio is an important and central parameter for the dynamic analysis of structures. The present study focuses on the estimation of the equivalent damping ratio in a post-yield region for RC frames, both with and without infills. One-story one-bay RC frames casted non-integrally with fly ash (FA) bricks and autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks infills are considered and are tested under monotonic lateral half-cycle loading. Post-yield behavior parameters, displacement ductility and maximum drift ratio, are used to estimate the equivalent damping ratio at each cycle of lateral loading, and empirical relationships are established. Secant stiffness and stiffness degradation for RC frames are also extracted to determine the contribution and effectiveness of type of infills. Free vibration tests on RC frame specimens are conducted subsequent to each cycle of monotonic lateral loading, and the damping ratio is evaluated. It is found that the equivalent damping ratio substantially increases for RC frames with the onset of damage in the post-yield region. The major advantage of the infilled RC frame is a drastic reduction in the maximum drift ratio. However, types of infill are found to yield equivalent damping ratio at par, suggesting similar energy dissipation capabilities. RC frame infilled with AAC block is recommended due to its higher initial as well as secant stiffness vis- $$\grave{a}$$ -vis FA brick-infilled RC frames and higher stiffness degradation that allows it to behave similar to RC frame without infill.