Investigation of the infilled reinforced concrete frames without openings causing short column by analytical and experimental methods

According to the Seismic Hazard Map of Turkey, which is in the active seismic zone, it is seen that a large proportion of our country is under the effect of high seismic hazard. Turkish Earthquake Code (TEC, 2007) has specifications for the captive or short columns adjacent to infill walls with openings, which can cause severe damage resulting in column shear failure. Experimental and analytical studies, as well as the building damage observations after earthquakes, revealed that non-structural infill walls have negative influence on the structural systems by crushing the infill wall around column top end causing short column. In this study, the parameters affecting the development of short columns in infilled RC frames without openings were investigated through experimental and analytical methods. 1/3 scaled test specimens were tested under reversed cyclic lateral load to simulate the seismic effects. Test specimens were designed such that they represent the substandard RC buildings in building the inventory of Turkey. Experimental and analytical studies conducted in this study showed that; depending on the infill material properties and the geometry of the frames, the infill walls can cause unexpected short or captive column damages on the columns of infilled frames without openings.