Cyclic performance of reinforced concrete frames with autoclaved aerated concrete and lightweight steel wall panel infills
Journal of Building Engineering, cilt.131, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 131
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jobe.2026.117272
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Building Engineering
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Autoclaved aerated concrete masonry, Hybrid structure, Lightweight steel wall panel, Reinforced concrete, Sustainability
- Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
In modern structural engineering, partition wall systems are no longer viewed merely as architectural elements but as components with critical impacts on structural performance and environmental sustainability. While traditional masonry infills are widely used, their susceptibility to severe damage during seismic events leads to substantial construction and demolition waste, which has emerged as an environmental challenge as critical as life safety itself. To address these concerns, this study comparatively examines the cyclic behavior of traditional Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) masonry infill walls and prefabricated Lightweight Steel Wall Panels (LSWP) from a perspective focused on sustainability and structural efficiency. Within the scope of the experimental program, a bare frame, fully and partially (with window openings) AAC-infilled frames, and LSWP systems in various configurations were subjected to cyclic lateral loading tests. The findings indicated that while AAC infills provided high initial stiffness, they exhibited brittle failure and abrupt strength loss at low drift levels. LSWP-infill systems demonstrated more stable cyclic performance than AAC systems, with ductility factors reaching 7.89 and balanced energy dissipation capacities. Consequently, the ability of lightweight steel wall panels which can be up to 65% lighter than AAC infills to significantly reduce total building mass and seismic inertial forces, combined with their high deformation capacity, renders these systems a safer and more environmentally efficient alternative to traditional masonry infills for reinforced concrete structures in seismic regions.