This paper summarizes a rational, simple procedure developed to evaluate the seismic resistance of infilled frames, being suitable for design or assessment purposes. The proposed method is based on the equivalent truss model, in which a diagonal strut substitutes the masonry panel. This model has been widely used to calculate the lateral stiffness, but can also be applied to evaluate the strength. The main problem, however, is to estimate the resistance of the compressive strut. This can be achieved by using a general failure theory, previously developed by the authors, in order to represent the shear strength of masonry under the assumption that failure can occur according to different mechanisms.
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