Probabilistic seismic performance assessment of infilled RC frame buildings

A methodology for the probabilistic seismic performance assessment of infilled reinforced concrete frames with consideration of shear failure of columns is presented. It is based on an iterative pushover procedure, which involves pushover analysis, post-processing of the analysis results using limit-state checks of the components, and model adaptation if shear failure of columns is detected. By means of an example of a four storey building it is shown that the shear failure of columns due to the effects of masonry infill may have a significant impact on the seismic response of reinforced concrete frames with masonry infills. The damage in the structural elements and the collapse mechanism differ significantly to those where the shear failure of columns is neglected in the analysis. Consequently, the mean annual frequency of limit-state exceedance was significantly larger than that estimated without consideration of the shear failure of the columns