Numerical study on masonry infill wall by using in-plane element and joint interface with RC frame

Abstract

Commonly house’s damage under earthquake is because their capacity inadequate to prevent from collapse, and the masonry wall system is not designed to resist the earthquake force. However, masonry infill wall is commonly used as partition and to separate large area with a purposed. Interaction between frame and masonry infill wall are not good connected to prevent building damage from earthquake. To understand the interaction between frames and infill wall can be simulated by numerical method or by Macro-modelling approach. The purpose of this numerical study is modelled a frame as a single element, a masonry infill wall as a plate element, and an interface between frame and masonry infill wall as an elastic spring. The concept of modelling depends on material parametric provided and the number of elements. Modelling with computational software facilitate to create material element and model and this modelling is conducted by Tohoku-coast NS time history seismic. The result shows the frequency parameter expressively increase from frequency on frame model to frame with infill wall model, or the time period parameter significantly reduce with the addition of infill wall. By the addition of mortar thickness which increased the stiffness also affect the frequency parameter and maximum displacement. The thickness of mortar brought the optimal value to good response is recommended with thickness of 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. The finding is that infill wall gives significant influence on frame response if the interface of frame and infill wall designed with good material characters.