Effects of Masonry Infills on Seismic Response of Steel Structures

Abstract:

The effects of masonry infills on the seismic performance of a multi-story steel frame building were investigated through nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. Three variants of masonry infills, aimed at simulating weak, intermediate and strong infill panels, and the presence of masonry openings were considered in the numerical analyses. Strong masonry infills significantly contributed to the lateral stiffness and load resistance of the steel structure, but a sudden decrease of strength was observed after the failure of infills. This phenomenon was less evident in presence of openings. The results of the nonlinear dynamic analyses confirmed the satisfactory performance of masonry infilled steel structures under the design earthquake intensity. The presence and the mechanical properties of the infills affected the distribution of damage throughout the structure. The maximum inter-story drift occurred at the third level for the bare structure, whereas in the structures infilled by strong masonry panels the maximum inter-story drift was registered at the first level.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 274)
• Pages: 112-116
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.274.112
• Online since: January 2013
• Authors: Marco Valente
• Keywords: Masonry Infills, Numerical Analysis, Opening, Steel Structure

References

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