Sesmic analysis of RC frame with brick infill

Abstract

Reinforced concrete frames with masonry infill walls are a common practice in countries like India ,where the region is prone to seismic activity. Generally the masonry infill walls are treated as non structural element in structural analysis and only the contribution of it’s mass is considered and it’s structural properties like strength and stiffness is generally not considered. The structures in high seismic areas are more prone to severe damages.Apart from the gravity load structure has to withstand to lateral load which may develop high stresses. Nowadays reinforced concrete frames are most common in building construction practice around the globe. The vertical gap in reinforced concrete frames that is created by the columns and beams are generally filled in by brick or masonry and it is referred as brick infill wall or panels. When the construction of frame is done ,these walls are built of brunt clay bricks in cement mortar. These walls are typically of 115 to 200 mm thick .Due to functional requirements the openings is provided in the frames for windows and doors etc.