 Equivalent Diagonal Strut Method :

Fig.3.1: Infill wall as Equivalent Diagonal Strut

Stafford Smith developed the formulation for ‘αh’ and ‘αL’ on the basis of beam on elastic
foundation. The thickness of strut is taken as actual thickness of walls (230mm). The material
properties of diagonal strut are not similar to the masonry infill wall.

𝜋 4 4 𝐸𝑓 𝐼𝑐 ℎ
αh = √𝐸 …. (3.1)
2 𝑚 𝑡 sin 2𝜃

4 4 𝐸𝑓 𝐼𝑏 𝐿
αL = π √ …. (3.2)
𝐸 𝑚 𝑡 sin 2𝜃

Where,

Ef - Modulus of Elasticity of frame

Em - Modulus of Elasticity of masonry infill
t- Thickness of infill wall

h - Height of infill wall

L - Length of infill wall
Ic - Moment of Inertia of Column
 Ib - Moment of Inertia of Beam
θ - tan-1 (h/L)

Hendry has proposed the equation to determine the Equivalent Diagonal Strut Width
(w), where the strut is assumed to be subjected to uniform compressive stresses.

1
w = √𝛼ℎ 2 + 𝛼𝐿 2 …. (3.3)
2

Where,

w - Width of diagonal Strut

αh - Length of Contact between wall and column

αL - Length of contact between wall and beam

 Sample Calculation of Width of Diagonal Strut :

The calculation of width of diagonal strut considered in present study is given below:

Frame properties :

Ef = 5000√𝑓𝑐𝑘 = 5000√25 = 25000 MPa ….(3.4)

Size of column = 0.45m X 0.45m

Size of beam = 0.23m X 0.45m

0.45 𝑋 0.453
Ic =
12
= 0.003417 m4

0.23 𝑋 0.453
Ib =
12
= 0.00175 m4
Infill properties :

Em = Elastic Modulus of masonry infill = 13800 MPa

t = Thickness of infill wall = 0.23 m

h = Height of infill wall = 2.75 m

L = Length of infill wall = 4.55 m

θ = tan-1(h/L) = tan-1(2.75/4.55) = 31○.15’

Length of contact between frame and column,

1⁄
𝜋 25000 𝑋 0.003417 𝑋 2.75 4
αh = [ ] = 0.71 m ….(3.5)
2 2 𝑋 13800 𝑋 0.23 𝑋 sin 2(31.15)

Length of contact between frame and beam,

1⁄
25000 𝑋 0.00175 𝑋 4.55 4
αL = 𝜋 [ ] = 1.36 m ….(3.6)
2 𝑋 13800 𝑋 0.23 𝑋 sin 2(31.15)

Width of Diagonal Strut,

1
w = 2 √(0.71)2 + (1.36)2 = 0.77 m ….(3.7)

Hence, the size of ‘0.23m X 0.77m’ diagonal strut is provided.

 Modelling in ETABS :
1. Define strut section in section Designer using Define > Frame Section.
2. Define the size of strut and select the material property as M25 for diagonal strut. Click on
Reinforcement command to provide reinforcement details.

3. Draw the diagonal strut using the frame element.

4. To assign the diagonal strut as a compression member, provide the compression limit to
strut members using Assign > Frame/line > Tension/Compression Limit.

5. Select compression limit and keep it as a zero.

6. To assign the hinge properties to strut members select all the strut using Select > By Frame
Section > STRUT.
7. Assign the hinge properties using Assign > Frame/line > Frame Non-Linear Hinges.

8. Fill up the frame hinge data. Select Default-P for Diagonal Strut, and relative distance as
0.5 and Add it.