Modeling of interactions between RC columns and masonry infill in buildings with a column‐sway mechanism

Abstract

Abstract This study proposes a new analytical model to evaluate interactions between reinforced concrete (RC) columns and masonry infill. An infill is replaced by a diagonal strut and its width is defined by column/infill contact length. A calculation procedure is presented to determine the contact length by mainly considering compression balance and lateral displacement compatibility at the column/infill interface. The proposed model is verified by performing a comparison with an experiment on a concrete block infilled RC frame in which the column/infill interactions are observed in detail. The model effectively evaluates both the strength of the infilled frame and its deformability.

Keywords

• analytical model
• nonstructural infill wall
• reinforced concrete column
• seismic performance evaluation
• strut