Seismic behavior of masonry-infilled precast concrete frames considering effects of opening

Abstract

Abstract It is commonly accepted that addition of infilled masonry walls (IMW) could enhance the in-plane strength and stiffness of RC frame buildings subjected to seismic loads. However, once the IMW walls failed, the shear force initially resisted by the IMW has to be transferred to the surrounding frames and may incur shear failure to the frames. Despite the extensive studies carried out in the past decades, studies on the structural performance of masonry infilled precast concrete (PC) frames are few. In this study, eight half-scaled single-story one bay frame were tested subjected to seismic loading, including three reinforced concrete (RC) frames and five PC frames. The investigated PC frames deviates the beam potential plastic hinge zone away from beam-to-beam connection region. The variables investigated in the tests included the types of opening in masonry infill walls and the types of cast-in-place concrete at the connections (normal concrete or steel fiber reinforced concrete). Results indicated that the investigated PC construction method has minimal effects on inelastic behavior and ductility of bare and infilled frames. However, the PC construction method may affect the crack development, especially at the interfaces in between precast and cast-in-place concrete surfaces in the region of the connection. However, the load resisting capacity and ductility was insensitive to the usage of steel fiber reinforced concrete at the connections, especially for bare frames.