Computational Non-linear Analysis Applied to Different Models of Infilled Frames under a Seismic Action

The presence of infill walls, especially those made of masonry, modifies the behaviour of the structure when subjected to horizontal forces, with a significant increase of stiffness and strength. The experience gained over time has shown that this phenomenon of interaction between structure and masonry and its interpretation is very complex, and consequently difficult to predict. This paper proposes some different models able to evaluate the effect of infill masonry panels on reinforced concrete frames subject to a seismic action. The different failure-behaviour of the same structure is considered both in the case of neglecting the contribution of the external walls and in the case of appropriately consider this contribution in terms of strength to horizontal forces and collapse mechanism. Finally the results obtained from the different models assumed for the interacting tufa masonry panels are compared with the results for a similar bare frame.