Theoretical/experimental study of reinforced-concrete frame with masonry infill

This paper presents the results of a set of experiments on reinforced-concrete (RC) frames with and without masonry infill. The experiments were performed on a RC frame with one span and one level. This structure was tested both as a reference frame without masonry infill and as a frame with infill walls made of solid bricks, bricks with vertical hollows and cellular concrete bricks. Each structure was loaded with vertical and alternating horizontal forces applied in the frame plane. The main results of the tests, including shear resistance, structure stiffness and structure ductility, are reported and discussed. The technical literature on the behaviour of a RC frame with and without masonry infill in response to seismic actions is also presented in this paper. Finally, a comparison of the theoretical calculation with the experimental results for the shear resistance and structure stiffness for the reference frame and the masonry panels is summarised.