Polymer matrix composite (PMC) infill walls for seismic retrofit

This paper presents the ongoing research dealing with the design, fabrication and testing of polymer matrix composite (PMC) infill walls to be employed as a seismic energy dissipation strategy. The composite infill wall structure is comprised of two fiber-reinforced polymer laminates with an infill of a vinyl sheet foam. At the interface between the laminates, visco-elastic material which is expected to exhibit maximum shear strain, is used to dissipate energy and improving the damping characteristics of the structure. Analytical and experimental studies were performed to explore the effectiveness of the energy absorbing strategy and the behavior of a PMC infill wall when subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading. A steel frame retrofitted by a PMC infill wall was monitored to assess the enhancements to the seismic resistant capacity. A large-scale steel frame and PMC infill panels are considered in this research to avoid typical uncertainties associated with scaling the dimensions. The design of an optimum infill panel was determined based on performance and material cost using finite element analysis. And, material tests were used to obtain the characteristics of each material used in the infill wall. Finally, the observed behavior of the PMC infilled frame is assessed on the basis of stiffness, strength, modes of failure and energy dissipation output.