An engineered infilled frame: Behavior and calibration

The results of an experimental investigation on some engineered infilled frames with high ductility and adjustable strength are presented in this paper. To achieve an engineered mulled frame, an element is added to the infill, called Frictional Sliding Fuses (FSFs). The fuse acts before infill corner crushing and controls the infill so that it is not overloaded. Consequently, it increases the deformation capacity and decreases the strength deterioration. An FSF has a frictional nature, based on which the infill has more appropriate hysteresis cycles, leading to more structural energy damping during earthquakes. The results show that the engineered infilled frames have adjustable strength, as well as high ductility and damping. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.