Cyclic testing of single bay steel frames with various types of masonry infill

This paper presents results of a part of the Croatian project “Seismic design of infilled frames” and deals with masonry infilled steel frames. The behaviour of steel frames infilled with masonry, commonly used in Croatia, was experimentally investigated under quasi-static cyclic loading. Besides, a new structural solution is proposed. Nine one-bay, one-storey masonry-infilled steel frames with three different masonry infill types: perforated clay blocks (C), lightweight AAC blocks (A) and newly proposed combination of these materials (CA), were built and tested. Proposed combined masonry infill (CA) allowed partial separation of the masonry from the frame at certain drift levels and prevented the infill’s detrimental effects.

► We provided results of experimental study on masonry infilled steel frames. ► Investigations were carried out on different types of masonry infill used in Croatia. ► A new structural solution for masonry infill is proposed. ► Comparison between particular structural solutions is provided.