CiiT International Journal of Data Mining and Knowledge Engineering, Vol 5, No 9, September 2013
Estimation of Inframe Fill Stability Using Echo State
Neural Network
P Karthikeyan and S. Purushothaman
Abstract---In regions of high seismicity, infilled frames are
commonly used for low and medium-height buildings. "Infilled
frame" is a composite structure. It is formed by one or more infill
panels surrounded by a frame. Infilled frame also refers to the
situation in which the frame is built first and then infilled with one or
more masonry panels. The primary function of masonry was either to
protect the inside of the structure from the environment or to divide
inside spaces. The presence of masonry infills helps the overall
behavior of structures when applying lateral forces. The lateral
stiffness and the lateral load capacity of the structure largely increase
when masonry infills are considered to interact with their surrounding
frames. In this paper, ANSYS 14 software is used for analyzing the
infill frames. Echo state neural network (ESNN) has been used to
supplement the estimation of stress values of the proposed infill
frame model. The number of nodes or reservoirs in the hidden layer
for ESNN algorithm varies depends upon the accuracy of estimation
required. Exact number of reservoirs is fixed based on the trial and
error method, through which the accuracy of estimation by the ESNN
is achieved.
Keywords---Echo State Neural Network (ESNN), Reservoir,
Processing Elements (PE), Finite Element Method (FEM), Equivalent
Stress.
I. INTRODUCTION
ASONRY infills are a popular form of construction of
M high-rise buildings with reinforced concrete (RC)
frames. The infilled frame consists of a moment resisting
plane frame and infill walls. The masonry can be of brick,
concrete units, or stones. Usually, the RC frame is filled with
bricks as non-structural wall for partition of rooms. Parking
floor are designed as framed structures without regard to
structural action of masonry infill walls.
They are considered as non-structural elements. RC frames
acts as moment resisting frames leading to variation in
expected structural response. Masonry infill panels are treated
as nonstructural element and their strength and stiffness
contributions are neglected. The presence of infill wall
changes the behavior of frame action into truss action thus
changing the lateral load transfer mechanism.
A. Masonry Infill Panels
Evaluation of Masonry infill panels should be done in both
the in-plane and out-of-plane directions. The effects of out-of-
Manuscript received on September 26, 2013, review completed on October
05, 2013 and revised on October 09, 2013.
P. Karthikeyan, Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, CMJ
University. E-Mail: Karthi.hodpec@yahoo.com
Dr. S. Purushothaman, Professor, PET Engineering College, Vallioor-
627117, India, E-Mail: dr.s.purushothaman@gmail.com
Digital Object Identifier: DMKE092013004.
0974-9683/CIIT–IJ-4682/05/$20/$100 © 2013 CiiT Published by the Coimbatore Institute of Information Technology
356
plane loading on in-plane capacity should be considered.
Infills are grouped as: isolated infills and regular infills.
In isolated infills panels are isolated from the confining
frame. This is at the top and on both sides. The gaps between
the infills and the frame must be greater than any possible
deformation expected by the frame. Hence, no infills/frame
interaction is allowed. The infills are not considered structural
elements.
Number of factors are responsible for in-plane and out-of-
plane behavior of infilled frames. These factors alter the
original stiffness and strength of infilled frames. The
empirically developed factors modify original infilled frame
performance estimates. This is done by taking into account of
the following: presence of infills openings, existing infills
damage, and flexibility of confining frame elements.
II. RELATED WORK
Analytical approach for the evaluation of shear strength and
cracking pattern of masonry infill panels were introduced
[Mohammadi and Akrami, 2010]. This method is based on
minimizing the factor of safety with reference to the failure
surfaces.
Asteris, et al, 2011, presented a general review of the
different macromodels used for the analysis of infilled frames.
A number of distinct approaches in the field of analysis of
infilled frames since the mid-1950s have yielded several
analytical models. These studies stressed that the numerical
simulation of infilled frames is difficult and generally
unreliable because of the very large number of parameters to
be taken into account and the magnitude of the uncertainties
associated with most of them. The behavior of masonry-
infilled reinforced concrete frames under cyclic lateral loading
is complicated because a number of different failure
mechanisms can be induced by the frame-infill interactions,
including brittle shear failures of the concrete columns and
damage of the infill walls. Koutromanos, et al, 2011, studied
nonlinear finite element models that have been used to
simulate the behavior of these structures. The constitutive
models have been validated with experimental data and
successfully applied to the dynamic analysis of a three-story,
two-bay, masonry-infilled, non-ductile, reinforced concrete
frame tested on a shake table.
Tasnimi and Mohebkhah, 2011, dealt with an experimental
program to investigate the in-plane seismic behavior of steel
frames with clay brick masonry infills having openings. Six
large-scale, single-story, single-bay frame specimens were
tested under in-plane cyclic loading applied at roof level. The
infill panel specimen included masonry infills having central
CiiT International Journal of Data Mining and Knowledge Engineering, Vol 5, No 9, September 2013 357

openings of various dimensions. The experimental results infill strength, openings and soft-storey phenomenon are
indicate that infill panels with and without openings can investigated.
improve the seismic performance of steel frames and the
amount of cumulative dissipated energy of the infill panels III. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY
with openings. A simple analytical method is proposed to
A. Finite Element Analysis
estimate the maximum shear capacity of masonry infilled steel
frames with window and door openings. FEM is a mathematical analysis procedure for finding out
Baloević, et al, 2013, performed several numerical dynamic different properties of subjects, when the objects are in static
tests of two-storey masonry-infilled reinforced concrete or dynamic conditions. An object that is considered to be static
frames by adopted numerical models. Bare frames, fully for example inframe will be dynamic when oscillatory loads or
masonry-infilled frames and masonry-infilled frames with vibration loads like seismic acts on the inframe. The pattern of
openings, with variants of strong or weak concrete frames and oscillatory loads is not fixed as the loads are generated under
masonry, were studied. Uniform harmonic base excitations natural or unknown conditions. Hence, the frame is subjected
and base excitations by three real scaled earthquakes were to dynamic loads. FEM software analyses every segment of
applied. Among others, it is concluded that cross-sectional the frame under different loading conditions. The different
dimensions of frame, rigidity of masonry, openings in the location or portion of frame that undergo stress, strain, and
masonry and type of dynamic base excitation have significant formation of crack rise in temperature are calculated by FEM
influence on behavior of masonry-infilled reinforced concrete software
frames.
A general review of the different procedures used for the SPECIFICATIONS USED FOR INFRAME ANALYSIS
TABLE 1
analysis of infilled frames is presented [Asteris, 2008], which ALTERNATING MEAN STRESS
can be grouped in local or micro-models and simplified or Alternating Stress Pa Cycles Mean Stress Pa
macro-models depending on the degree of refinement used to 3.999e+009 10 0
represent the structure. 2.827e+009 20 0
A computer model is developed for the structural analysis 1.896e+009 50 0
of masonry infilled frames [Dawe, et al, 2001]. Dawe 1.413e+009 100 0
1.069e+009 200 0
considered structural interaction of the panel and its peripheral
4.41e+008 2000 0
frame. Various failure criteria are incorporated into the model
2.62e+008 10000 0
and special elements are developed to account for masonry 2.14e+008 20000 0
failure by cracking and crushing as well as to account for the 1.38e+008 1.e+005 0
complex interaction of frame and panel. 1.14e+008 2.e+005 0
Ghosh and Amde, 2002, implemented a new finite element 8.62e+007 1.e+006 0
model from infilled frames. To model the interface between
the frame and the infill and the mortar joints surrounding the
blocks of masonry, a non-associated interface model is
formulated using the available test data on masonry joints. The
failure criteria for masonry include the von-Mises criterion for
the plane stress condition for uncracked masonry (assembly)
and a smeared crack model. The finite element model
provided more insights into the failure mechanisms of the
infilled frames.
Doudoumis, 2007, investigated analytically the behavior of
single-storey one-bay infilled frames under monotonic lateral
loading, assuming linearly elastic material laws. A precise
finite element micromodel is formulated and used, by
considering contact interface conditions between the frame
and the infill. The analytical investigation is carried out
through an extended comparative parametric study and is
focused on the quantitative influence of certain simplified
modelling assumptions and several critical modelling
parameters on the response of the system.
Dorji and Thambiratnam, 2009, developed an appropriate
technique for modelling the infill-frame interface and then
uses it to study the seismic response of in-filled frame
structures. Finite element time history analyses under different Fig. 1 Undeformed Frame without Infill
seismic records have been carried out and the influence of
The deformation of the frame is shown in Figure 1.

0974-9683/CIIT–IJ-4682/05/$20/$100 © 2013 CiiT Published by the Coimbatore Institute of Information Technology

CiiT International Journal of Data Mining and Knowledge Engineering, Vol 5, No 9, September 2013
Fig.2 Stress Distribution for Frame with Strut as Infill
Figure 2 shows the frame infilled with strut diagonally
connecting two corners of the basic frame.
Fig.3 Stress Distribution
Figure 3 shows the amount of von–Mises stress in (Pa)
presented at various nodes. Load deformation response
characteristics of each infill in a frame are first determined
using a finite element computer analysis. Results of this
analysis are then used to develop the diagonal load
deformation behavior of an equivalent diagonal brace which
replaces the corresponding infill panel.
0974-9683/CIIT–IJ-4682/05/$20/$100 © 2013 CiiT
358
B. Echo State Neural Network (ESNN)
An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is an abstract
stimulation of brain that contains a collection of neuron units.
These communicate with each other through axon
connections. ANN are computing elements. These are based
on the structure and function of the brain. The ANN has nodes
or neurons. These are described by difference or differential
equations.
To store and access the time history of inputs and outputs,
dynamic computational models are required. Time-Delay
Neural Network (TDNN) is a dynamic model. This couples
delay lines with a non-linear static architecture. All the
parameters (weights) are adapted with the BPA. BPA through
time and real-time recurrent learning, have been proposed to
train RNNs. The problem of decaying gradients has been
addressed with special processing elements (PEs).
ESNN (Figure 4) has recurrent topology of nonlinear PEs.
These contain reservoirs of rich dynamics. They contain
information about the history of input and output patterns. The
outputs of this internal PEs (echo states) are fed to a
memoryless, but adaptive readout network (generally linear)
that produces the network output. Only the memoryless
readout is trained. The recurrent topology has fixed connection
weights.
Spectral radius (the largest among the absolute values of the
eigen values of a matrix, denoted by (||.||) of the reservoir’s
weight matrix (|| W ||<1) is used to define the echo state
condition.
Echo states represent a reservoir of highly interconnected
dynamical components. Output is produced by training
memory less linear readout. In Figure 4, the following
parameters are defined:
M input units, N internal PEs, and L output units. At time
‘n’, the value of the input unit is
u(n) = [u1(n), u2(n), . . . , uM(n)]T,
The internal units are:
x(n) = [x1(n), x2(n), . . . , xN(n)]T, and
Output units are
y(n) = [y1(n), y2(n), . . . , yL(n)]T.
The ESNN connection weights are given as follows:
in an (N x M) weight matrix W back Wijback for
connections between the input and the internal PEs,
in an N × N matrix W in Wijin for connections
between the internal PEs
in an L × N matrix W out Wijout for connections from
PEs to the output units and
in an N × L matrix W back Wijback for the node
connections that project back from the output to the
internal PEs.
The activation of the internal PEs (echo state) is updated
according to
x(n + 1) = f(Win u(n + 1) + Wx(n) +Wbacky(n)),
where,
Published by the Coimbatore Institute of Information Technology
CiiT International Journal of Data Mining and Knowledge Engineering, Vol 5, No 9, September 2013 359

f = ( f1, f2, . . . , fN) are the internal PEs’ activation Step 6: a = Pseudo inverse (S).
functions. Step 7: estimated = a * Wout
ex e x
Here, all fi’s are hyperbolic tangent functions . The
ex e x
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
output from the readout network is computed according to
y(n + 1) = fout(Woutx(n + 1)),
where,
f out ( f1out , f 2out ,...., f Lout ) are the output unit’s
nonlinear functions.

Fig. 5 Estimation of Stress by ESNN

The node number is given as inputs at the input layer of the

ESNN topology. The node number is assumed to remain in the
same locations of the infill frame model analysed in ANSYS.
In such case, it would be easier to analyse the amount of
change in the stress for the nodes when there is a change in the
strut placements. Based on the requirements of the outputs,
number of input parameters can be increased.

V. CONCLUSION
The optimum number of reservoirs used in the hidden layer
of ESNN is 3 for estimting stress values of the infill frame
model.The work can be further extended by incorporating an
ANN module in the ANSYS 14 software. There are many
supervised, unsupervised, recurrent ANN algorithms. These
algorithms can be used to estimate the stress of the infill frame
models.

REFERENCES
Fig.4 Echo State Network (ESNN) [1] Tasnimi A.A., Mohebkhah A., 2011, Investigation on the behavior of
brick-infilled steel frames with openings, experimental and analytical
The algorithm for training the ESNN is as follows: approaches Engineering Structures, Vol.33, Issue 3, pp.968–980.
Step 1: Read a training pattern (I) and its Target (T) value. [2] Mohammadi M., and Akrami V., 2010, An engineered infilled frame:
Behavior and calibration, Journal of Constructional Steel Research,
Step 2: Decide the number of reservoirs. Vol.66, Issue 6, pp.842–849.
Step 3: Decide the number of sides in the input layer = length [3] Koutromanos I., Stavridis A., Shing P.B.B., Willam K., 2011, Numerical
of pattern. modeling of masonry-infilled RC frames subjected to seismic loads,
Computational Structures, Vol.89, pp.1026-1037.
Step 4: Decide the number of sides in the output layer = [4] Asteris P.G., Antoniou S.T., Sophianopoulos D.S., Chrysostomou C.Z,
number of target values. 2011, Mathematical macromodelling of infilled frames: state of the art,
Step 5: Initialize random weights between input and hidden J. Struct. Eng., Vol.137, No.12, pp.1508-1517.
[5] Asteris P.G., Kakaletsis D.J., Chrysostomou C.Z., and Smyrou E.E.,
layer (Ih) hidden and output. 2011, Failure modes of infilled frames, Elect. J. Struct. Eng., Vol.11,
Step 6: Calculate F=Ih*I. No.1, pp.11-20.
Step 7: Calculate TH = Ho * T. [6] Asteris, P.G., 2008, Finite Element Micro-Modeling of Infilled Frames,
Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol.8, pp.1-11.
Step 8: Calculate TT = R*S. [7] Baloević G., Radnić J., Harapin A., 2013, Numerical dynamic tests of
Step 9: Calculate S = tan h (F+TT+TH). masonry-infilled RC frames, Engineering Structures, Vol.50, pp.43–55.
Step 10: Calculate = Pseudo inverse (S). [8] Chrysostomoua C.Z., and Asterisb P.G., 2012,On the in-plane properties
and capacities of infilled frames, Engineering Structures,Vol.41,
Step 11: Calculate Wout = a * T and store Wout for testing. pp.385–402.
The algorithm for testing the ESNN is as follows: [9] Crisafulli F.J., and Carr A.J, 2007, Proposed macro-model for the
Step 1: Read a pattern (I). analysis of infilled frame structures, Bull. N.Z. Soc. Earthquack Eng.,
Step 2: Calculate F=Ih*I. Vol.40, No.2, pp.69-77.
[10] Dawe J.L., Seah C.K., and Liu Y., 2001, A Computer Model for
Step 3: TH = Ho * T. Predicting Infilled Frame Behavior, Can. J. Civ. Eng., Vol.28, pp.133-
Step 4: TT = R*S. 148.
Step 5: S = tan h(F+TT+TH).

0974-9683/CIIT–IJ-4682/05/$20/$100 © 2013 CiiT Published by the Coimbatore Institute of Information Technology

CiiT International Journal of Data Mining and Knowledge Engineering, Vol 5, No 9, September 2013 360

[11] Dorji J., and Thambiratnam D.P., 2009, Modelling and analysis of
infilled frame structures under seismic loads, Open Construct, Building
Technology Journal, Vol.3, pp.119-126.
[12] Doudoumis I.N., 2007, Finite Element Modeling and Investigation of the
Behavior of Elastic Infilled Frames under Monotonic Loading,
Engineering Structures, Vol.29, pp.1004-1024.
[13] Ghosh A.K., and Amde A.M., 2002, Finite Element Analysis of Infilled
Frames, Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol.128, Issue 7, pp.881-889.
[14] Jaeger H., and Lukosevicius M., 2009, Reservoir Computing
Approaches to Recurrent Neural Network Training, Computer Science
Review, Vol.3, No.3, pp.127-149.
[15] Jaeger H., Lukosevicius M., Popovici D., and Siewert U., 2007,
Optimization and applications of echo state networks with leaky
integrator neurons, Neural Networks, Vol.20, No.3, pp.335-352.
[16] Jaeger H., Maass W., and Principe J., 2007, Special issue on echo state
networks and liquid state machines: Editorial. Neural Networks, Vol. 20,
No.3, pp. 287-289.

P Karthikeyan is pursing PhD from CMJ University

Meghalaya, India. He has 21 years of teaching
experience in the Department of Civil Engineering.
Presently he is working as Professor in SKP
Engineering College. India.

Dr.S. Purushothaman completed his PhD from Indian

Institute of Technology Madras, India in 1995. He has
129 publications to his credit. He has 19 years of
teaching experience. Presently he is working as
Professor in PET Engineering College, India.

0974-9683/CIIT–IJ-4682/05/$20/$100 © 2013 CiiT Published by the Coimbatore Institute of Information Technology