On the Use of CLT Infills to Improve the Lateral Performance of RC Frames

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels allow nowadays to design and realize high-rise timber-based buildings with different construction systems and have shown potential to be used as a sustainable strengthening system for reinforced concrete (RC), steel and masonry structures. Among the various applications of CLT panels in hybrid structures is the very recent interest of the scientific community in using them as infill panels. This paper presents a numerical study aimed at investigating the lateral response of RC frames with traditional masonry and innovative CLT infills. The role of CLT infills and their capability to improve the structural performance of RC structures is investigated. Pushover analyses of RC frames with different number of stories and bays are presented in the study. Results of the analyses show that introducing CLT panel infills in RC frames leads to higher structural performance compared to traditional masonry infills. Given their high in-plane mechanical properties, CLT panel infills allow to reach lower inter-story drifts, resulting in lower structural and non-structural damages and economic losses.