Investigation of Hysteresis Behaviour for Frames with and Without Infill Masonry Concrete Block Wall in Various Aspect Ratios

Abstract

This study investigates the hysteresis behavior of single-story reinforced concrete frames with and without infill masonry walls under cyclic loading, focusing on understanding the influence of infill masonry walls and geometric properties, including aspect ratios and story heights, on their structural performance. This research was motivated by required improvements in seismic resilience and safety of reinforced concrete structures. The analysis evaluated parameters like hysteresis behavior, load-carrying capacity, energy dissipation, ductility, and degradation. The analysis reveals that infill walls significantly enhance load-carrying capacity and energy dissipation but reduce ductility, particularly in taller frames. Frames with infill walls exhibited up to 553% higher load-carrying capacity compared to bare frames, while ductility decreased by up to 78% in taller frames. Aspect ratios also played a critical role, with larger ratios improving structural performance. These findings underscore the importance of considering infill walls and geometric properties in seismic design and retrofitting strategies to enhance the resilience of reinforced concrete structures in earthquake-prone regions.