Comparison of Numerical Techniques of Masonry Infilled RC Frames for Lateral Loads

Due to the influences of several parameters such as brick and mortar properties, interaction between brick and mortar and etc., engineers encounter challenges in modeling and evaluating procedure of the seismic behavior of masonry-infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frames. To predict the seismic behavior of these structural elements, the analytical model must be comprehensive and efficient in such a way that it can show the actual behavior of the structure. Modeling the behavior of masonry infilled reinforced concrete frames under in-plan load, has received much attention over the last decade. The main aim of this paper compares different methods of modeling infilled frame with experimental results in order to choose the appropriate method for modelling of infilled RC frames. To achieve the purpose, after describing the background to the application of each method, the specimen which was tested in the laboratory was modeled in three different methods. The first model was realized by simplified micro-modelling and, the second model was realized by macro-modelling procedure via Abaqus software. The third model was further made by equivalent diagonal compressive strut modelling in OpenSees software. The results showed that the macro-modeling method had maximum and the simplified micro-modeling had minimum accuracy in Abaqus software. The amount of observed differences between experimental results and macro-modeling approach, between experimental results and simplified micro-modeling approach, and equivalent diagonal compressive strut modeling were 2.65%, 9.25% and 10.12%, respectively. These findings maintain that macro-modeling technique in Abaqus software could have an appropriate performance in detecting cracks.