Y.P. Yuen

Masonry-infilled RC frames subjected to combined in-plane and out-of-plane loading

The structural responses of infilled frames subjected to combined in-plane and out-of-plane loadings are usually analyzed by separately applying in-plane and out-of-plane loads. The interaction effect of in-plane and out-of-plane loads on the structural behavior of the frames is ignored; thus errors in predicting the actual force-transfer mechanisms and modes of failure of the structures can be incurred. To solve the problem, this paper presents a discrete finite element modeling technique, which employs a damage-based cohesive crack representation of fracture behavior of masonry infills, followed by a study on the force-transfer mechanisms and failure modes of the anchored and unanchored infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frames subjected to interactive in-plane and out-of-plane loads. The analysis indicates that under out-of-plane loading the diagonal compressive thrust of masonry-infill walls, which is induced by in-plane lateral loading and acts on the walls, may reduce the in-plane load capacity of the RC frame by up to 50% and cause buckling of infill walls. On the other hand, the anchorage can effectively prevent the separation of infill walls from the bounding frame and provide stabilizing forces to the walls against buckling.