Numerical modelling of out-of-plane response of infilled frames: State of the art and future challenges for the equivalent strut macromodels

This paper presents an in-depth literature review of the capacity models developed for the prediction of the out-of-plane response of infilled frames, from the first flexural based computational models to the models implementing the arching action theory in their formulation. A comparison between the results obtainable is provided in order to compare the models reliability against the results of different experimental tests. A final discussion is devoted to the effectiveness the recent integrated in-plane/out-of-plane macromodels used in 3D structural models. A new promising approach, based on the use nonlinear fiber-section elements, is also outlined providing a numerical testing of the capacity of such elements to naturally account for the out-of-plane arching mechanism.