The effect of seismic activity on reinforced concrete frame structures with infill masonry panels

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Certain regions within the Western Cape Province are at risk of a moderate intensityearthquake. It is therefore crucial that infrastructure in these areas bedesigned to resist its devastating effect. Numerous types of structural buildingsexist in these seismic prone areas. The most common types are either reinforcedconcrete framed buildings with masonry infill or unreinforced masonrybuildings. Many of these buildings predate the existence of the first loadingcode of 1989 which provided regulations for seismic design. The previous codewas superseded in 2010 with a code dedicated to providing guidelines for seismicdesign of infrastructure. A concern was raised whether these buildingsmeet the requirements of the new code. A numerical investigation was performedon a representative reinforced concrete framed building with masonryinfill to determine whether the building meets the new code's requirements.The results from the investigation show that the stresses at critical points inthe columns exceed the codified requirements, thus leading to local failure.After careful review it was discovered that these local failures in the columnswill most likely lead to global failure of the building.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University