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U.S. Department of Energy
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Masonry infill performance during the Northridge earthquake

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/414625· OSTI ID:414625
 [1]; ;  [2];  [3]
  1. Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
  2. Univ. of Tennesee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
  3. Agbabian Associates, Pasadena, CA (United States)

The response of masonry infills during the 1994 Northridge, California earthquake is described in terms of three categories: (1) lowrise and midrise structures experiencing large near field seismic excitations, (2) lowrise and midrise structures experiencing moderate far field excitation, and (3) highrise structures experiencing moderate far field excitation. In general, the infills provided a positive beneficial effect on the performance of the buildings, even those experiencing large peak accelerations near the epicenter. Varying types of masonry infills, structural frames, design conditions, and construction deficiencies were observed and their performance during the earthquake indicated. A summary of observations of the performance of infills in other recent earthquakes is given. Comparison with the Northridge earthquake is made and expected response of infill structures in lower seismic regions of the central and eastern United States is discussed.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); National Science Foundation, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-96OR22464
OSTI ID:
414625
Report Number(s):
Y/EN--5492; ON: DE97001620; CNN: Grant CMS-9416262
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English