Behaviour of captive column effect in partially infilled two bay two storied 3D RC framed structure with masonry inserts under lateral cyclic loading

Abstract

Masonry infilled panels are normally used as partitions or asarchitectural elements in Reinforced Concrete RC structures While placing windows or ventilators the infill cannot be completely filled in the panels of RC frames thus forms only a partial infill If the infill panel is built shorter with a gap the adjacent columns are unable to flex under the lateral loads during an earthquake due to in plane stiffness of the infills They behave as short columns and can be seriously damaged during an earthquake due to excessive shear force This behaviour is called Captive Column Effect RC framed buildings with infill walls are usually analysed and designed as bare frames without considering the strength and stiffness contributions of the infills On the other hand the real behaviour of the structure with partial infill walls during an earthquake is different In locations where short columns cannot be avoided the shear force in the columns may lead to collapse of the building and hence needs some remedial measures