Behaviour of brick masonry infilled reinforced concrete frame subjected to static loading

Abstract

Contribution of brick masonry (BM) infill in the strength and stiffness of reinforced concrete (RC) frames is neglected in the design of RC frame buildings. This leads to incorrect idealization of the structure. Although, in the past considerable research has taken place in the field of infills, up till now no research work on shear connection between RC frame and BM infill is reported. Adopting a particular sequence for the composite construction, where column grouting is carried out after raising the toothed BM wall on its sides, good shear connection between the BM and RC is possible. The present work is a step to investigate behaviour of such a composite. Three models of (i) RC frame, (ii) BM infilled RC frame without shear connection, where BM was filled after casting of the RC frame, and (iii) BM infilled RC frame with shear connection, where column grouting was done after raising the toothed BM, were tested and comparison of their behaviour is presented. It has been found that due to the shear connection between the RC frame and the BM wall, behaviour of the composite with respect to stiffness, strength, ultimate deflection capacity, ductility and energy absorption capacity are clearly superior to infilled RC frame without shear connection, and RC frame without infill.