Numerical Study on the Seismic Interaction between Innovative Ductile Masonry Infills and RC Elements

Innovative masonry infill solutions have been proposed in the last decade to mitigate the damage observed in “traditional” infilled frame structures. The insertion of sliding joints in the masonry infills has been experimentally investigated with different layouts and technologies, proving the efficiency of the solution in mitigating the infill damage. However, uncertainties remain regarding the local trust exerted by the infill on the surrounding frame. That is challenging to measure during tests, but it is of critical importance for safe design of these structures. The present work describes the results obtained from a detailed numerical modelling effort focusing on the assessment of the effect of the infill-frame interaction. The numerical model, based on a validated and well-established approach, is calibrated with the mechanical properties of a previously tested RC frame with masonry infill with sliding joints. The results of a parametric analysis on the role of the design parameter in the local infill-frame interaction are presented and their design implications are discussed. In particular, the shear behaviour and damage of the RC columns is assessed and design guidelines resulting from the study are proposed.