Earthquake-safe and energy-efficient infill panels for modern buildings
The recent earthquakes that occurred in Central Italy, in L’Aquila in 2009 and in Amatrice in 2016, have shown, once again, how infill panels and partitions, widely used as non-structural elements in reinforced concrete frames, are significantly vulnerable when subjected to seismic actions. Moreover, they highly affect the structural behavior and seismic response of typical, multi-story buildings, strongly influencing their repair costs due to the inevitable damage they usually undergo during seismic events.