The Need for Simplified Design Guides of in filled RC Frames with Confined Openings

Intra Infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frame (IF) is one of the most common types of structures used in low and medium rise building, especially in the area where affordable materials and labor are available, including in the area with high seismicity. Opening on the wall is part of the architectural design to house windows and doors of various sizes and location within the wall. Though opening may reduce the lateral strength and stiffness of the corresponding solid infilled frame (Solid-IF), it cannot be overlooked in the design as the composite action between the RC frame and infill wall may negatively affect the behavior of IF like in the case of soft storey, short column mechanism, and brittle failure of the frame. Nonetheless, considering the complex, nonlinear behavior of IF structures, a simpler and practical design guides is required to encourage structural engineers to include the contribution of infill walls in their analysis and designs, and therefore, more accurate behavior and failure mechanism of the structure is possible.