Developing a macro-element method for the analysis of masonry infill walls under in-plane lateral loading

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
M. M. Ahmadvand
A. maleki
M. Pourbaba
Department of Civil Engineering, Maragheh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Maragheh, Iran
10.22034/25.4.2
Abstract
Understanding the impact of masonry infill walls on the behavior of moment frames is of paramount importance in the field of structural engineering. A thorough investigation is essential to gain insights into the complex interplay between various parameters and their effects on the flexural frames surrounding masonry infills. Unfortunately, the current state of knowledge is hindered by the absence of comprehensive exploration, partly attributed to constraints in existing numerical models and the prohibitively high costs associated with experimental studies. There is an urgent need to delineate the influence of diverse parameters on the dynamic interaction between frames and masonry infill walls. This understanding is critical for optimizing the accuracy of structural and component designs, ultimately leading to a reduction in project costs and an enhancement of resident safety. Although numerical models have been employed in the past, these models have limitations, and experimental studies, on the other hand, are costly, creating a need for a fast, accurate, and comprehensive method to evaluate masonry infill walls under in-plane loading. To address these limitations, there is a pressing demand for a swift, precise, and comprehensive evaluation method specifically tailored to assess the performance of masonry infill walls under in-plane loading conditions. Such a method would not only overcome the drawbacks of existing numerical models but also provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional experimental studies, allowing for a more expansive exploration of the multifaceted interactions between moment frames and masonry infills. The development of such a methodology holds the key to advancing our understanding of structural dynamics and ensuring the resilience and safety of built environments. The current research aims to develop a model that explores the nonlinear behavior of masonry infill walls and their interaction with the surrounding frame. The proposed model utilizes truss elements and material homogenization, allowing for modeling and analysis in commercially available software. The idea of this method is to simplify the typically 2D problem of masonry infilled frames under in-plane loading and reducing the infill and the surrounding frame to assemblages of braces and axial members, which is called piers, both exhibiting a mono-dimensional non-linear behavior with softening. Despite its simplicity and minimal input requirements, this method delivers comprehensive results on the structure's state in the nonlinear stage, including load-displacement curves and failure mechanisms. The method's ability to determine responses of masonry infill walls with ease and high accuracy is an innovative aspect of this research. Moreover, the proposed method can be readily implemented in widely used commercial software, displaying remarkable robustness in handling non-linear behavior and demonstrating swift convergence, even when significant global softening occurs. In the proposed method, the masonry infill is modeled as a regular set of vertical and inclined bracing members. Vertical members are referred to as "piers" and inclined members are known as "braces". The outcomes of this research have the potential to enhance the engineering community's understanding of masonry infill walls and their interaction with structural frames, shedding light on influencing factors. Furthermore, these results may contribute to the future development of regulations and standards for masonry structures, offering improved insights into the behavior of masonry intermediate frames.

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