Non-linear Behaviour of Masonry Infill RC Frame: Influence of Masonry Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Unreinforced masonry infilled reinforced concrete frame s are a widespread as part of structural system worldwide. It is common practice to treat the infill as non-structural elements, even the damages noticed during previous earthquakes highlight the effect of masonry infills on the seismic performance of structures . The infills are constructed using a large variety of materials and different construction techniques The detailed literature review has revealed that there are a number infilled RC framed pre-code buildings those are constructed before the seismic code has been introduced. Performance of these gravity load-designed buildings are require d to be assessed considering the effect of infilled masonry. However, the research effort in this direction is found to be limited. Also, the properties of brick masonry are variable in nature as the constituent materials are developed from natural sources involving different types of uncertainty. However, detailed literature review did not reveal adequate research attention to address this issue. Based on the above discussion the main objective of present study are defined as to study the behaviour of gravity load designed infilled RC framed buildings due to change in mechanical properties of infill masonry with and without openings. The result from the present study shows, by keeping value of shear strength of infill masonry constant and increasing its young modulus, the maximum base shear is reached at smaller top displacement and it assumes lower value. The maximum of infilled frame increases with increase in value of for constant. In case of opening, result obtained showing reduction in value of Vb on increasing percentage of opening.