Seismic full-scale tests on a 3d infilled r.c. frame

Shaking table tests on a 3D infilled RC frame have been performed, as a part of a more complex research project, in the aim to study the effects of infill walls on RC frame seismic response. In particular a one-storey one-bay RC infilled frame, designed according to old seismic Italian Code and without any Capacity Design provision, is considered. As in Italian practice, infill walls were double panels without wall ties. Test sequences included mono and bi-directional seismic actions while white noise tests were carried out to evaluate structural dynamic characteristics before and after each seismic test. Bare and infilled configurations were tested with a peak ground acceleration increasing level up to failure of infill panels with openings. A final so-called “semi-infilled” configuration was tested, i.e. after damaged panels with openings removal; two series of increasing seismic were experienced until a peak ground acceleration that was 60% higher than calculated collapse acceleration for prototype bare frame. Numerical evaluations of spectral parameters, based on pushover analyses with an original infill model, are shown and discussed.