A macro?model for describing the in?plane seismic response of masonry?infilled frames with sliding/flexible joints

Masonry infill walls are among the most vulnerable components of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures. Recently, some techniques for enhancing performance infills have been proposed, aiming at improving both global and local behaviour infilled structure. Among promising ones, there those that aim to decouple or reduce infill-frame interaction by means flexible sliding joints, relying respectively on rubber low-friction materials interface between horizontal subpanels panels frame. Numerous models developed in last decades describing seismic response masonry-infilled RC frames, but these focused mainly case traditional infills. This study aims fill this gap proposing a two-dimensional macro-element model in-plane frames with joints. The proposed modelling approach, implemented OpenSees, is an extension discrete previously panels. It calibrated validated against quasi-static tests from literature, carried out results show capabilities approach evaluate benefits using joints terms minimising negative effects limiting increase stiffness system respect bare condition.