The effect of masonry infills on the seismic response of a four-storey reinforced concrete frame — a deterministic assessment

The effect of masonry infills on the seismic response of a four-storey reinforced concrete frame has been studied using the N2 method. The method is based on pushover analysis and the inelastic spectrum approach. It was recently extended in order to make it applicable to infilled reinforced concrete frames. In the paper the method is summarized and applied to the deterministic seismic assessment of a four-storey reinforced concrete frame with masonry infills, with openings and without them. A comparison has been made with the behaviour of the bare frame. The most common analytical modelling technique, which employs compressive diagonal struts for modelling of the masonry infill, and one-component lumped plasticity elements for modelling the flexural behaviour of the beams and columns, was applied. The results of the analyses indicate that the infills can completely change the distribution of damage throughout the structure. The infills can have a beneficial effect on the structural response, provided that they are placed regularly throughout the structure, and that they do not cause shear failures of columns.