Seismic response of infilled framed buildings using pushover analysis

Structural frames are often filled with infilled walls serving as partitions. Although the infills usually are not considered in the structural analysis and design, their influence on the seismic behaviour of the infilled frame structures is considerable. In the present study, a parametric study of certain infilled frames, using the strut model to capture the global effects of the infills was carried out. Three concrete planar frames of five-stories and three-bays are considered which have been designed in accordance with Turkish Codes. Pushover analysis is adopted for the evaluation of the seismic response of the frames. Each frame is subjected to four different loading cases. The results of the cases are briefly presented and compared. The effect of infill walls on seismic behavior of two sample frames with different infill arrangements was investigated. The results yield that it is essential to consider the effect of masonry infills for the seismic evaluation of moment-resisting RC frames, especially for the prediction of its ultimate state, infills having no irregularity in elevation have beneficial effect on buildings and infills appear to have a significant effect on the reduction of global lateral displacements.