Calculating Size Limitations of Non-Load-Bearing Walls under Seismic Loads

Infill walls,etc. non-load-bearing walls are vulnerable to fracture when these are subjected to out-of-plane seismic loads. Studies suggest that the overall dimensions of non-load-bearing walls are the important parameters to affect its out-of-plane mechanical properties, but most of these researches are qualitative researches, do not give specific size limitations. This paper based on codes has calculated out-of-plane loads of non-load-bearing walls, then bearing capacity check formulas have been deduced when non-load-bearing walls are subjected to out-of-plane seismic loads, finally the size limitations used in the height-thickness ratio check and seismic check are obtained.The conclusions fill up gaps in research of non-load-bearing walls ,and provide reference for the design specifications of non-load-bearing walls.