Finite element modeling and mechanical behavior of masonry- infilled RC frame

During the analysis of reinforced concrete structures, the infill wall is usually simplified as a diagonal inclined strut to facilitate finite element modeling calculations. However, the actual seismic damage and single frame-filled wall pushover experimental results show that when the earthquake shear force is huge, the top of the infill wall and the beam–column connections are usually, thus the path of the force transfer will be changed. Based on this actual failure phenomenon, a new calculation model which has different contact position between the equivalent bracing walls and the frame columns is generated. Thus, the force analysis is given based on this model, the formulae for calculating the equivalent width of bracing walls, the shear bearing capacity of the wall-filled frame, and the infill wall’s actual participation in the stiffness. A finite element simulation method by ABAQUS is used to determine an empirical formula for calculating the reasonable contact position between the equivalent bracing walls and the frame columns. The verification results show that the finite element model presented in this paper is more reasonable, and the stiffness and shear resistance of infill wall should not be neglected. The calculation formula of stiffness of infill wall presented in this paper is coincided with seismic code. But the calculation formula of shear resistance of infill wall presented in seismic code is higher than the actual value, so it is suggested that calculation formula presented in this paper should be accepted. © Deng and Sun; Licensee Bentham Open.