The composite characteristics of infilled frames

Abstract The analysis of the infilled frames, in regard to the stress distribution and stiffness, is complicated by the existence of an interface between the panel and the framework, which might be of different materials and of different dimensional parameters. Detailed theoretical and experimental studies are presented in respect of single-storey infilled frames. The theoretical approach uses a general stress function expressed in the form of Fourier Series. The stress distribution in the panel is obtained from the solution of the rigorous theoretical approach and is experimentally investigated by photoelastic frozen-stress technique using three different models. Tests on the stiffnesses of two other models made of Perspex frames with weak infills are also reported. The experimental and theoretical results of the five models show good agreement.