Experimental Study of the In-Plane Behaviour of All-Masonry Infilled Frame Systems under Lateral Loading
Abstract
This study is part of on-going experimental research, aiming to further investigate the in-plane behaviour of concrete masonry infills bounded by reinforced masonry frames (all-masonry infilled frames). A total of six all-masonry infilled frame specimens was tested under in-plane loading applied at the frame top beam level to specimen failure. The parameters studied included vertical loading, infill aspect ratio, presence of interfacial gaps, and cyclic loading. Two levels of vertical load were studied where the vertical load was applied through frame columns and held constant while the lateral load was monotonically increased to the specimen failure. In the infill aspect ratio study, two specimens with different aspect ratios (one squat and one slender) were constructed and tested under monotonic lateral loading. The last two specimens had window openings and pre-defined gaps and were tested under cyclic lateral loading.