Optimum engineered infilled frames and the influence of openings

An engineered infilled structural building frame with adjustable strength is proposed. The infill wall has a frictional sliding fuse at mid-height, which can be regulated for a certain sliding strength. Previous experimental and analytical studies have shown that greater fuse strength leads to higher strength but lower ductility for the infilled frame. This paper discusses optimising the fused infill panel. The modification factors and expected strengths of infills with different fuse strengths were calculated and compared. To complement the study on fused infill panels, the influences of an opening were investigated experimentally. Two one-third scale single-storey single-bay concrete infilled steel frames having a frictional sliding fuse were tested by displacement-controlled cyclic loading. The specimen with a door opening at the centre was compared with the specimen with solid infill.