Evaluation of modelling uncertainties impact in older infilled frame RC structures

The seismic response of infilled frame reinforced concrete structures is affected by different sources of aleatory and epistemic uncertainties and is particularly sensitive to the modeling parameters evidenced by reported numerical and analytical studies. In the current study, a probabilistic sensitivity analysis is performed by nonlinear static (PNSA) and nonlinear dynamic analyses (PNDA) on a base-case infilled frame structure incorporating structural (beam, column) and non-structural (masonry infill) components behavior. Therefore, the state-of-the-art models of the most effective sources of nonlinear response employed herein as fiber section to depict the axial-moment interaction in frame components, bi-diagonal eccentric strut to capture the cracking and crushing of masonry infill, and the shear failure in columns caused by infill-frame interaction. Finally, results are illustrated by tornado plots incorporating probabilistic sensitivity to material and component parameters for operational (O), damage (D), life safety (L), and collapse (C) limit states. Results state that the building response is significantly affected by the modeling parameters of infill characteristics, mass source, and the damping of the structure.