Experimental Structural Performance Evaluation of a 2.5-Story Model Frame Representing Lower Stories of High-Rise RC Buildings With Flat Walls

Lessons learned from earthquake damage in recent years revealed that damage to reinforced concrete (RC) structural members was limited; however, nonstructural members were significantly damaged, making continuous building occupancy difficult. In this study, a laboratory test was conducted to elucidate the effects of nonstructural flat walls on the seismic behavior/performance of a model frame representing the lower 2.5 stories of high-rise RC buildings. It was found that the nonstructural flat walls contributed to increasing the shear strength of the frame; however, the shear forces applied to the structural members of the columns and beams also increased.