9730646 Elgaaly Brick and concrete block masonary infill walls are used extensively in steel frame buildings. They are often considered as non-structural elements. Which has led to poor performance of infilled frame structures when subjected to strong lateral forces. Observations of post-earthquake damages indicate their vulnerability. A retrofitting technique that is easy to apply and that enhances the strength and deformation characteristics of infill masonary walls could potentially reduce the number of failures of infilled frames under earthquake loading. Existing retrofit techniques have several disadvantages such as considerable increase in building weight, difficulties for connection to existing buildings, and high construction cost. In this project, a new technique for retrofitting infill hollow masonry walls utilizing external reinforcement with Fiberglass Composite Laminates (FCL) is proposed. It had several advantages over the existing techniques. A quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of FCL as a retrofitting technique for steel frames infilled with hollow concrete masonry walls will be conducted. Characterization of material properties of reinforced infill masonry walls will be obtained and used for the analysis and design of retrofitted infilled frames under seismic loads. Further testing and analytical studies will be conducted to examine the interaction between the steel frame and the reinforced infill wall. Through this effort the effectiveness of FCL will be demonstrated and its use as a retrofitting material to enhance the seismic performance of existing infilled frame buildings will be advanced. ***
