Experimental investigations into in-plane stiffness and strength of steel frames with precast concrete infill panels

At Eindhoven University of Technology a research program on composite construction is underway aiming at the development of design rules for steel frames with precast concrete infill panels subject to horizontal loading. In two projects, 3 by 3 m steel frames are infilled with concrete: solid precast concrete panels discretely connected to the top and bottom beams and precast concrete panels discretely connected at the beam-column joints. The projects comprise experimental, numerical and analytical research into the in-plane composite behaviour of infilled steel frames. This paper presents preliminary experimental and numerical results of the first investigation. The discrete connections of the infill panel to the beam are able to resist tension, compression and shear. Preliminary studies were done to arrive at an optimum number and their locations. Two variations on this type of connection were tested experimentally. Four discrete connections allow the concrete panel to behave similarly to X-bracing in a trussed frame. A finite element model yields good results for the lateral stiffness and reasonable results for strength.