Effect of Masonry Infill Walls on Progressive Collapse Resistance of RC frames

Abstract

Unpredicted loading may occur on structure due to natural hazards like earthquake, Wind Pressure, Flood etc. or due to manmade cause like terrorist attacks, over occupancy, functionality change of structure etc. leads to failure of primary load carrying elements. And failure of such primary members leads to Progressive Collapse of structures. When primary load carrying elements such as column loaded over its load carrying capacity, they fail and leads to loss of lives and economy. The failure of structural element due to blast, impact, wind pressure, earthquake is highly dynamic phenomenon. Analysis of RC frame damages to unexpected loading in which the presence of masonry infill has adversely affect the Progressive Collapse of RC frame. Investigators concluded that infill panel act essentially as equivalent diagonal compression strut, which increases stiffness of RC frames. Result have shown that the usual failure mode of RC bare frame may be significantly affected by infill masonry. The General Services Administration guideline provides the general guideline to assess the potential of Progressive Collapse. In present study G+7 story RC framed structure is analyzed using Static Linear and Static Non-Linear method as specified in GSA guideline and potential of Progressive Collapse is evaluated. To understand the influence of masonry infill in Progressive Collapse bare RC frame, RC frame with partial masonry, RC frame with full height masonry is considered in this study. Buildings are designed as per the Indian Standard Codes for the gravity and seismic loading. Design and Progressive Collapse Analysis is carried out using computer program of SAP 2000 of CSI. Analysis results identify the effect of masonry infill on Progressive Collapse of RC framed structures.