Title: Masonry infill walls in framed buildings: practical recommendations for minimising the detrimental interactional effects

Authors: Vahid Mokarram; Mohammad Reza Banan; Mahmoud Reza Banan; Saeed Hatami

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Jahrom University, Jahrom-Lar Ring Road, Jahrom, Fars 74131-88941, Iran ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Fars 71348-51156, Iran ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Fars 71348-51156, Iran ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Fars 71348-51156, Iran

Abstract: The aim of this study is to improve the seismic performance of framed buildings with masonry infill walls (MIWs) by providing practical recommendations for their design. Finite element models validated against experimental data are used to investigate the effects of different factors, such as the aspect ratio, gap size and location, and steel plate connectors, on the in-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OOP) behaviour of MIWs. Optimal gap configurations for MIWs are proposed to reduce their interaction with steel frames until large deformations occur. A simple method of stiffening MIWs with steel plate connectors is suggested to ensure their stability despite the gaps. Furthermore, MIWs effect on the fundamental period of the structures is examined, and a 20% reduction in the period for buildings with MIWs is recommended. Additionally, it is shown that the OOP stability of MIWs can be enhanced by adding small angle sections on the perimeter of MIWs.

Keywords: masonry infill walls; MIWs; composite frame; out-of-plane stability; non-structural elements; infills.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTRUCTE.2024.138117

International Journal of Structural Engineering, 2024 Vol.14 No.2, pp.203 - 231

Received: 10 Aug 2023
Accepted: 14 Jan 2024
Published online: 29 Apr 2024 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article