Seismic evaluation of RC frames infilled with prefabricated lightweight steel panels and brick masonry
Engineering Structures, cilt.366, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 366
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2026.123389
- Dergi Adı: Engineering Structures
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, Geobase, ICONDA Bibliographic, INSPEC, The International Construction Database (ICONDA), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Brick masonry, Cold-formed steel, Lightweight steel wall panel, Reinforced concrete
- Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study investigates the seismic performance of structural lightweight steel wall panels (LSWPs) and evaluates their potential as a sustainable and recyclable alternative to conventional masonry infill walls in RC frames. An experimental and numerical program was conducted on six single-bay, single-story RC frame specimens, including one bare frame, two masonry infilled frames, and three frames incorporating LSWPs. In addition, pull-out tests were performed to identify an effective connection strategy between the LSWP system and the surrounding RC frame. The effects of infill type, window openings, and bracing configuration on strength, stiffness, ductility, energy dissipation, and failure mechanisms were investigated under cyclic loading. The masonry infilled specimens exhibited the highest initial stiffness and strength, increasing the peak lateral resistance by up to 80% compared with the bare frame. However, they reached peak capacity at low drift levels and experienced rapid post-peak degradation. In contrast, the LSWP specimens increased the lateral load capacity by up to 51% while maintaining stable post-peak behavior, gradual stiffness degradation, and higher ductility. Damage was governed by progressive screw failures and controlled brace buckling rather than brittle wall crushing. The numerical models accurately reproduced the experimental response, with peak-load prediction errors ranging from 4.3% to 15.9%. Parametric analyses further indicated that the response of the proposed LSWP system was practically unaffected by wall aspect ratio. Overall, LSWPs provide a lightweight, ductile, recyclable, and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional masonry infill walls in seismic regions.