For infill wall we use strut method, But when there are opening in wall (Doors, Windows etc) then how to fix the case?
MASONRY INFILLS AND EARTHQUAKES
ByP.B. Lourenco, J.C. Leite and M.F. Paulo-Pereira
ABSTRACT
Masonry infills are building elements with high cost that often suffer cracking due to movement of the supports and thermohygral behaviour, with serious consequences in comfort and efficiency, particularly in the case of enclosure walls. The new seismic code in Europe (Eurocode 8) clearly defines the structural designer as responsible for the safety of masonry infills. In this context, there is a clear need of adequate provisions to reduce the seismic vulnerability in regions of moderate and high seismicity, which are not clearly prescribed in the code. A research program involving monotonic and shaking table testing of masonry infills is being prepared at University of Minho and National Laboratory of Civil Engineering. The reasons for the program and a preliminary analysis of the prototype are addressed here.
....
https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/17611/1/C4-4.pdf
In case of an opening centrically positioned both struts have the same properties. You can use 1-Ao/Ai reduction factor to the strength of the strut, where Ao is the area of an opening and the Ai is the area of the infill wall.
In case of an eccentric opening close to the one of the columns the strut interrupted by opening should be multiplied with the factor from above. The other strut could be kept as in the case of the solid infill.
For the precise consideration you would need validated micromodels.
My best,
Davorin
I think the strut method isn't applicable anymore for such a case. To be more on the conservative side you should model this problem using 3-D eight node elements representing your bricks with an equivalent E to that of the bricks and the mortar together.
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