Infill walls with confining elements and horizontal reinforcement: An experimental study

•Experimental investigation of reinforced concrete frames infilled with masonry walls.•Variables: column size, the use of confining elements and horizontal reinforcement.•Six walls scaled 1:2 were tested with H/L=0.42.•Contribution of horizontal reinforcement to lateral strength depends on column size.•Confining elements do not increase the lateral strength or displacement capacity. An experimental investigation of the global behavior of reinforced-concrete frames infilled with masonry walls was conducted. The study variables were the wall/frame stiffness ratio, the use of confining elements and the use of horizontal reinforcement. Six specimens scaled 1:2 were tested. The results indicate that the wall/frame stiffness ratio has an important effect on the cracking strength of the walls and the maximum shear strength of the system. Moreover, the contribution of horizontal reinforcement to lateral strength depends on the wall/frame stiffness ratio. Confining elements surrounding the infill walls do not increase the lateral strength or displacement capacity of the system; however, they enhance the out-of-plane stability of the wall and the contact conditions between the wall and frame.