The influence of infill wall topology and seismic characteristics on the response and damage distribution in frame structures

Abstract

This paper identifies the effects of infill wall existence and arrangement in the seismic response of frame structures utilising the global structural damage index after Park/Ang (GDI PA) and the maximum interstorey drift ratio (MISDR) to express structural seismic response. Five different infill wall topologies of a 10-storey frame structure have been selected and analysed presenting an improved damage distribution model for infill wall bearing frames, hence promoting the use of nonstructural elements as a means of improving frame structural seismic behaviour and highlighting important aspects of structural response, demonstrating the suitability of such element implementation beyond their intended architectural scope. © 2013 Nikos Nanos and David Begg.