Analysis of the behavior of buildings of medium-rise metal structures that use isolated and confined masonry

Abstract

Introduction: Ecuador is in a high-risk seismic zone, making metallic structures highly vulnerable. The fundamental problem is to determine the behavior of masonry against seismic events of isolated masonry and confined masonry. Objective: to determine the behavior of buildings of metallic structures of medium height that use isolated and confined masonry. Methodology: the methodology used for the present study was to consider models made of walls with these conditions, and through a non-linear analysis, determine the load capacity of the panels, as well as their displacements before the action of accelerations associated with seismic design spectra, taking into account the recommendations of the AISC, ATC-40, ASCE 41-17, ASCE 7 FEMA 273 and 356 and the NEC-15. Results: It was possible to determine that in the essential structure the presence of masonry infill panels does not help in performance in a Very Rare Earthquake, since the displacements in the non-linear range are significantly reduced, causing the structure to be located in the collapse performance level, without reaching the target performance for the earthquake with a probability of exceedance of 2% in 50 years and a return period of 2475 years. Conclusions: it was possible to determine that in the confined walls, when increasing the rigidity, the values ​​of the period are significantly reduced, as well as a slight decrease in floor drifts, the performance criterion is met in the direction of the wall but not in the other two directions for rare and very rare earthquakes, in essential structures the contribution of infill panels does not improve performance for very rare earthquakes since the displacements in the non-linear range are notably reduced, which means that the structure is at the collapse performance level for earthquakes with a probability of exceedance of 2% in 50 years and return periods of 2475 years. It is recommended that for essential structures it be designed with drifts of less than 1% and use full frames since the action of the masonry increases the rigidity of the structure. General area of ​​study: Civil and Mechanical Engineering. Specific study area: Metallic structures.