The Influence of Infill Panels on Vulnerability Curves for RC Buildings

Abstract eng:
A Simplified Pushover-Based Earthquake Loss Assessment method (SP-BELA) for the definition of vulnerability curves has recently been proposed. A prototype structure is introduced to describe the behaviour of a selected structural type. Conceptually, the method can be applied to any structural typology. When reinforced concrete buildings are taken into account, a simulated design procedure is adopted to define section dimensions and the reinforcement of the structural elements of a random building population. SP-BELA adopts a simplified method of analysis to define the pushover curve of each building of the population. Since SP-BELA is based on a mechanics-based interpretation of structural behaviour, through a pushover curve, it is straightforward to account for the influences of different structural layouts on the vulnerability. The research work described herein has been undertaken to highlight the influence of infill panels on the vulnerability curves. In this paper, vulnerability curves for both seismically designed and non-seismically designed reinforced concrete buildings are presented assuming the following conditions: bare frames, regularly distributed and irregularly distributed infill panels along the height of the building. A comprehensive validation exercise of the simplified methodology used to produce the pushover curves is also documented.

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