Seismic assessment of masonry infilled frame structures

Abstract. Some existing residential buildings have not been designed to withstand potential earthquakes, making it crucial to evaluate the impact of infill walls on their seismic performance. This study focuses on the seismic evaluation of unreinforced masonry infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frames using a micro-modeling approach with ABAQUS software. Two types of infill walls were examined: one consisting of a stone masonry layer and concrete blocks, and another composed solely of concrete blocks. The study generated nonlinear force-displacement curves to illustrate the impact of infill walls on structural stiffness. Results showed that both types of infill significantly enhance lateral stiffness and reduce drift demands, demonstrating their critical role in the seismic performance of infilled frames.