Estimation of Basic Dynamic Characteristics of Pliable Masonry Infills With Horizontal Sliding Joints From in-Plane Test Results

Abstract

Many post seismic event inspections and studies conducted by different researchers have identified the threat to human lives and considerable economic losses related to the damage sustained by "traditional" masonry infills. Although several innovative infill solutions and new design approaches have been proposed, a viable practical and universally accepted solution has not been achieved yet. Among the very promising designs, according to the ongoing studies, are pliable infill panels with the in-plane stiffness reduced and the displacement ductility increased compared to "traditional" infills. One way to attain such a significant pliability of a masonry infill is to divide it into a number of segments interconnected through horizontal sliding joints. The research units at the University of Newcastle (Australia) and the University of Pavia have proposed and are studying two different infill systems of this type: one mortar-less made of specially shaped masonry units capable of sliding on all bed joints; another with infill masonry panel subdivided into several horizontal sub-panels using specially engineered sliding joints. Within this paper, two systems are compared and discussed with particular emphases on their basic dynamic characteristics required for seismic analysis.