Experimental investigation on seismic behavior of partially-restrained steel frame subassemblages with different type of RC infill walls.

To investigate the seismic behavior of partially-restrained steel frame with RC infill walls, an innovative subassemblage was proposed to consider the influence of boundary condition on the infill walls reasonably. Three 1/3 scale, one-bay and three-story test specimens were carried out under low cycle reversed test, and the effect of infill walls type on structural performance was studied. The hysteretic curves, skeleton curves, ductility, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation, and the distribution of lateral shear were obtained. Test results reveal that test specimens with slit RC walls and concealed vertical slit RC walls take on the significant full hysteretic curves, and high deformability and energy dissipation, but small lateral strength and stiffness. Both test specimens produce flexural failure mode of slit wall. Test specimen with solid infill walls has narrow hysteretic curve, low deformability and energy dissipation, but high lateral strength and stiffness, which takes on the shear failure mode of infill walls. The employment of infill walls decreases the rotation requirement of connection resulting from earthquake. During the test, the maximum connection rotation angles of three specimens are no more than 0. 025 rad, which can avoid the brittle failure of surrounding steel frame due to connection failure. The infill walls sustain approximately 80% lateral strength at initial loading stage, and with the lateral strength increase this ratio gradually decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]