Equivalent contact length-hz for infill

[zhwang]

Dear Seismosoft support,

I am trying to calculate the Equivalent contact length-hz for infill. However, there are two parameters I would like to check with you.

The help of Seismosoft describes that Em is the Elastic Modulus of the masonry, is this Em same with Initial Young modulus in Strut Curve Parameters in infill?

And, the help describes that EcIc is the bending stiffness of the columns. If the force was applied to axis 3 of the structure (axis 3 and axis 2 are vertical), is this EcIc the same with EI3 or EI2 of columns in Section Characteristics in Sections?

Thanks very much for your help.

[huffte]

Regarding the appropriate EcIc to use, it depends on how your column is oriented. This should be EI about the axis (2 or 3) which is perpendicular to the infill wall. If you have any doubts, then from the model plot screen, right click and select '3D plot options'. Then toggle the 'Show Elements Local Axes' box and 'OK'. It will now be clear which local column axis is perpendicular to the infill.