Out-of-plane seismic behavior and CFRP retrofitting of RC frames infilled with brick walls

Seismic retrofitting of existing school buildings is a significant issue in Taiwan. Compulsory school buildings often have many openings along their corridors. Here, rather than attempting to change existing doors and windows, it seems convenient to retrofit the confined brick walls between classrooms with carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) to improve their out-of-plane seismic capacities. This study deals with the out-of-plane seismic behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) frames infilled with brick walls. Five full-scale specimens were tested. The test results showed that the contribution of the brick walls to the out-of-plane lateral strength of frames was not straightforward, although the residual strength of frames infilled with brick walls was clear. Retrofitting enhanced the peak lateral strength and residual strength in tested specimens. The proposed analytical model satisfactorily predicted the load–displacement relationship of all specimens.

► There is no clear difference between the post-laid method and pre-laid method.
► The residual strength of frames infilled with brick walls is clearly observed.
► The residual strength can prevent frames from immediate collapse.
► The proposed analytical model predicts the test results in a reliable manner.
► It seems cost-efficient to retrofit confined brick walls, using CFRP retrofitting.