Testing of Damaged Single-Bay Reinforced Concrete Frames Strengthened with Masonry Infill Walls

Despite achieving consensus and having current knowledge on the behaviour contribution of masonry infill walls, there remain unresolved issues regarding their nonlinear as a method for strengthening existing reinforced concrete (RC) frames with effective modifications, primarily infills interconnection frames. The challenge safely economically designing competent walls is to utilise stiffening benefits while ensuring that increased lateral forces reduced drift capacity do not hinder performance. This study aims investigate potential using strengthen previously slightly damaged RC Experimental tests were conducted frame specimens infilled vertically hollowed-clay solid-clay units, connected elements traditional methods (i.e., avoiding use modern composite materials). These strengthened structures subjected constant vertical cyclic loading, which revealed improved stiffness, strength, damping characteristics, enhancing overall behaviour. As main novelties, found when performance resembled undamaged exhibited enhanced hysteretic damping. increase in stiffness was observed regardless type units technique employed. However, improvements strength influenced by specific particularly robustness, chosen reinforcement method.