Seismic resilience assessment of high-rise RC frame office buildings considering mechanical performance of infill walls

Abstract

Current research on seismic resilience of buildings often overlooks the mechanical performance of non-structural components, particularly the contribution of infill walls. This study conducts a seismic resilience assessment of a high-rise reinforced concrete frame office building designed for a 7-degree (0.1 g) seismic fortification level, following the Standard for Seismic Resilience Assessment of Buildings (GB/T 38591—2020). By introducing and refining an equivalent diagonal strut constitutive model for autoclaved aerated concrete infill walls, the study quantitatively evaluates the impact of infill wall mechanics on the seismic resilience of high-rise frame structures. The findings reveal that considering the mechanical contributions of infill walls can substantially mitigate the inter-story drift angles within the structural system, thereby significantly enhancing the seismic resilience of the building. This approach can markedly reduce the repair costs and downtime associated with structural components and displacement-sensitive non-structural elements. However, it may also lead to an increase in the repair expenses for acceleration-sensitive non-structural components. These results highlight the importance of accounting for the mechanical contribution of infill walls in resilience evaluations of high-rise frame structures, offering valuable insights for enhancing seismic resilience design.