A PRACTICAL APPROACH FOR THE DESIGN OF MASONRY INFILLED FRAMES

Zou¹ , Y. Liu², C. Seah

1. Associate Professor at Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P.R.China; Visiting Scholar, zyun@unb.ca
2. PhD Candidate, s2s94@unb.ca Department of Civil Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada, E3B 5A3

ABSTRACT

A computerized analytical method wherein masonry infills in frames are replaced with equivalent diagonal springs has been developed. A diagonal load-deformation response for each dissimilar infill in a multi-paneled structure is established using a specially developed finite element program which accounts for panel and frame interaction as well as for various failure modes of the panel and frame. Data defining equivalent diagonal springs for commonly occurring masonry panel dimensions and properties are generated and tabulated for use in standard frame analysis programs. The technique is verified by comparing analytical results with the laboratory results of two 3-storey, 3-bay infilled reinforced concrete frames.

Key words: masonry, infill, frame, steel, concrete, multi-panel, design aid

INFILL01