An Investigation of the Interaction of Reinforced Concrete Frames With Masonry Filler Walls

TLDR: In this article, the beneficial effects on frame stiffness and strength which result from providing in-filled masonry walls in all frame openings are investigated, including load-deflection relationships, load-reinforcement strain curves, loadwall strain data, and information on cracking in both the wall elements and frame elements.

Abstract: : The beneficial effects on frame stiffness and strength which result from providing in-filled masonry walls in all frame openings are investigated. Tests to failure were conducted on eight one-story, one-bay frames; 13 five-story, one-bay frames; and six two-story, three-bay reinforced concrete frames. The test results are presented, including load-deflection relationships, load-reinforcement strain curves, load-wall strain data, and information on cracking in both the wall elements and frame elements. Analyses are presented enabling the calculation of the response of the framewall systems to horizontal loadings. The response to loads smaller than those cracking can be approximated as that of a cantilever beam, and the post cracking behavior approximates the response of a frame with knee braces. The forces causing diagonal cracking and failure in the wall elements were related to the results of tests of masonry specimens. The masonry walls led to an order of magnitude increase in stiffness and a significant increase in strength over unfilled frames, but the ductility was reduced. (Author)