Behavior of masonry strengthened infilled reinforced concrete frames under in-plane load

Experimental tests have been carried out to study the behavior of different single story frames infilled with brick masonry under the in-plane lateral load influence. Three phases of frames were tested. The first phase was conducted on individual reinforced concrete bare frame used as control frame. The second phase was conducted on two model frames representing individual reinforced frame infilled with masonry panels constructed between two columns, then constructed the top beam, and the other one constructed as bare frame and then infilled with masonry. The third phase was strengthened with different methods to improve its behavior. Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets, steel rebar impeded in frame, plastering and ferrocement meshes were used.The drift, toughness, ductility and failure load were improved by using such masonry wall due to like-shear wall effect which also increased frame capacity to resist lateral load. The ferrocement strengthening method was recommended to improve the ductility and ultimate failure loads of the existed frames. Also casting concrete of frame over the masonry “Balady” method; increases the ultimate load capacity of frame by 145% of bare frame ultimate failure load. Also it increases its ductility and toughness by 33% and 195%, respectively.The ductility of infilled frame strengthened with ferrocement was the best of all strengthened frames, while strengthening with GFRP increases its ultimate load carrying capacity but reduces its ductility.