Experimental study on seismic behavior of RC frames with slab and infilled masonry walls

Three one-storey two-bay reinforced concrete frames were constructed and tested under the low cyclic reversed load to study the effects of infill walls and slab on the seismic behavior of RC frames. Based on the cyclic loading test, the process of destruction and damage characteristics of the specimens were examined, and the seismic behavior characteristics, such as loading-displacement hysteretic curves, skeleton curves, bearing capacity, displacement ductility and strain of bars and infill walls were analyzed. The experimental results indicate that: Infill walls have strong stiffness effect and restraint effect on frames. Infill walls enhance the lateral stiffness and the ultimate capacities of frames. Configurations of infill walls change the failure modes of frames significantly. All the columns connecting infill walls suffer shear failure. The mechanical performance of the frame with infill walls differs greatly from that of the bare frame. Infill walls make the mechanical performance of the column more complex, which change the failure mode of the column. Longitudinal bars of slab contribute to the resistance of the negative moment in the beams of the RC frame and enhance the actual bending moment capacity of beams, which makes it hard to achieve the design goal of strong column-weak beam.