Simplified nonlinear progressive collapse analysis of welded steel moment frames

In this study, compression and shear characteristics of laminated rubber bearings and lead rubber bearings with various parameters are investigated by using material and geometric nonlinear three-dimensional finite element analysis. Rubber coupon tests are performed to make a model of the laminated rubber bearings. In addition, the material constants of the rubber are calculated by the curve fitting process of stress-strain relationship. The finite element analysis and experimental tests of the laminate rubber bearings are used to verify the validity of the rubber material constants. It is seen that the compression behavior of the laminated rubber bearings and lead rubber bearings mainly varies depending on the first shape factors and their shear behavior significantly varies depending on the second shape factors. In addition, the horizontal stiffness and energy dissipation capacity of lead rubber bearing are increased when the diameter of a lead bar is increased.

The growing need for blast-resistant designs in structural engineering is driven by the rising threat of terrorism, accidental explosions, and the significant risk of progressive collapse. This study presents a numerical procedure for analyzing the progressive collapse of Reinforced Concrete (RC) framed structures due to blast loads, addressing the gap in current methodologies. Traditional approaches such as the Alternate Load Path method, which are code-based and threat-independent, mainly focus on sudden column loss scenarios but do not fully capture the dynamic nature of blast-induced, threat-dependent collapses. Hence this study addresses the need for a computationally efficient and reliable method to predict and model progressive collapse under blast loading. This study employs a comprehensive numerical investigation using Finite Element Method where a seven-storeyed RC building is assessed for progressive collapse under blast loading. Progressive collapse analysis was executed using a commercially available Finite Element Analysis software, adhering to the Linear Static Procedure specified in the General Services Administration (GSA) guidelines, while blast load scenarios were examined through a nonlinear direct integration time history analysis. Different blast parameters, including charge weight and standoff distances, are varied to evaluate their impact on the structural integrity of the building. The study differentiates between threat-independent analysis, considering four column removal locations, and threat-dependent (blast-induced) scenarios with three distinct column removal positions. The scope of this study delves only into the perimeter blast scenarios neglecting the internal explosions. Demand Capacity Ratios (DCR) of columns were calculated to determine the susceptibility of the building to progressive collapse, with a DCR greater than 1 indicating failure. The numerical model was validated against the GSA baseline model. In threat-independent analysis, 30%, 60%, 22%, and 44% of the considered columns under corner, long side, short side, and interior column removal scenarios respectively exceeded the acceptable DCR criteria. In threat-dependent analysis, 100% of the considered columns under each blast induced column removal scenario exceeded the acceptable DCR criteria. This emphasizes the need for scenario-based planning in structural design to reduce collapse risks. The identification of critical columns, for threat-independent analysis as those directly above the removed column and on the topmost floor and for threat-dependent analysis as ground floor columns adjacent to the removed column, reveals potential weak points for progressive collapse initiation. The analysis of blast-induced progressive collapse reveals significantly higher DCR values than threat-independent assessments. Even the minimum percentage increases of DCRs when transitioning from threat-independent to threat-dependent analysis reaches high values up to 995%, 325%, and 981% for corner, long side, and short side column removal scenarios respectively. This specifies the importance of integrating blast resistance into the structural design of high-risk buildings. As a result, this study contributes to the understanding of structural dynamics under blast loads and offers a framework for the analysis of progressive collapse in RC buildings.

This paper evaluated the progressive collapse robustness of steel intermediate moment-resisting frames (MRFs) under different fire-induced column failure scenarios. For this purpose, 3-, 7-, and 12-story intermediate MRFs were modeled numerically and analyzed under different gravity and fire loads. The effects of the seismic design requirements, number of stories, gravity load ratio (utilization ratio), and redundancy and position of the heated column were discussed. Because the investigations included models with different number of stories and different seismic to gravity load ratios, the results can be applied for a wide range of IMFs. The results show that none of the studied frames in the high seismic zone with a low gravity loads ratio experienced progressive collapse under any of the considered fire scenarios. However, by increasing the ratio of gravity loads in frames, the vulnerability to progressive collapse was increased. This suggests that in areas with a lower risk of environmental lateral loads, where MRFs generally are designed for gravity loads and smaller lateral forces, the progressive collapse robustness of MRFs under fire-induced column failure should be given serious consideration. In addition, the results show that the possibility of progressive collapse under the fire-induced column failure scenarios in the first story of low-rise frames is more than that in the first story of high-rise frames, and generally low-rise frames are more vulnerable to progressive collapse than high-rise frames. Furthermore, the possibility of progressive collapse under fire scenarios in the upper stories is more than that in the lower stories, especially for the top story. In this study, a new combined failure mechanism for global collapse of MRFs was identified.

Progressive collapse studies generally assess the performance of the structure under gravity and blast loads, while earthquakes may also lead to the progressive collapse of a damaged structure. In this study, the progressive collapse response of concentrically braced dual systems with steel moment-resisting frames was assessed under seismic loads through pushover analysis using triangular and uniform lateral load patterns. Two different bracing types (X and inverted V braces) were considered, and their performances were compared under different lateral load patterns using the nonlinear static alternate path method recommended in the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) guideline. Eventually, the seismic progressive collapse resistance of models was compared to their progressive collapse response under gravity loads. These studies showed that models under the seismic progressive collapse loads satisfied UFC acceptance criteria and limited rehabilitation objective. The structures had better performance under seismic progressive collapse than models under gravity loads because of more resistance, ductility, suitable load redistribution, and more structural elements that participated in load redistribution. Furthermore, despite studies on progressive collapse under gravity loads, the dual system with X braces showed better progressive collapse performance (more resistance, residual reserve strength ratio and ductility) under seismic loads than the model with inverted V braces.

Progressive collapse assessment of multistory reinforced concrete structures subjected to seismic actions

Importance of ‘DAF’ in evaluating structural adequacy of gravity-load designed RC buildings

When conducting nonlinear static progressive collapse analysis, dynamic effects caused by sudden column loss are considered by using dynamic increase factors (DIF). The values of the DIF depend both on the characteristics of individual structural elements and on the type of the structure itself. This paper presents the design approach for determining the DIF to consider the contribution of floor slabs to the progressive collapse-resistant ability of reinforced concrete frame structures. A simplified approach is based on the energy conservation principle. In this method, the work done by gravity loads is equal to the strain energy of a structure. Proposed method is validated through a several numerical examples consisting of nonlinear dynamic and nonlinear static analyses of reinforced concrete two-way slab structure. Different column loss scenarios on the first floor are considered to evaluate the DIF values. The comparison of the DIF values obtained according to the proposed method with the values obtained according to American standards is conducted. The results show that the presented approach allows to determine the DIF with sufficient accuracy, and confirm the significant role of floor slabs in the progressive collapse resistance of the whole structure.KeywordsProgressive collapseDynamic increase factorEnergy conservation principleNonlinear static analysisColumn lossTwo-way slab

Progressive collapse of building structures under blast and impact loads has attracted great attention all over the world. Progressive collapse analysis is essential for an economic and safe design of building structures against progressive collapse to blast and impact loads. Because of the catastrophic nature of progressive collapse and the potentially high cost of constructing or retrofitting buildings to resist it, it is imperative that the progressive collapse analysis methods be reliable. For engineers, their methodology to carry out progressive collapse evaluation need not only be accurate and concise, but also be easily used and works fast. Thus, many researchers have been spending lots of effort in developing reliable, efficient and straightforward progressive collapse analysis methods recently. In the present paper, current progressive collapse analysis methods available in the literature are reviewed. Their suitability, applicability and reliability are discussed. Our recent proposed new method for progressive collapse analysis of reinforced concrete frames under blast loads is also introduced.

In this study, the progressive collapse potential of tube‐type buildings, such as diagrid and tubular structures, composed of lateral load‐resisting perimeter frames and internal pin‐connected gravity frames, was evaluated by nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. To this end, 36‐ and 54‐storey structures were designed as analysis models and progressive collapse analyses were carried out by removing first‐storey columns. According to the analysis results, the progressive collapse of tube‐type analysis model buildings occurred when perimeter columns corresponding to more than 11% of all member cross‐sectional areas were removed from one side of the structures. When the diagonals located around a corner were removed, the ratio was reduced to 8%. It was observed that the corner columns in the diagrid system helped prevent the propagation of member failure all around the perimeter. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Idealized structural unit method (ISUM) is now well recognized as one of the most efficient methods to analyze nonlinear behavior of large-sized structures under extreme or even accidental actions. This paper presents some techniques of ISUM modeling and surveys the literature on the ultimate limit state assessment of ship structures using ISUM. Theoretical formulations of ISUM elements for the progressive hull girder collapse analysis of ships that were implemented into ALPS/HULL computer code are outlined. Some benchmark studies are made by a comparison with physical test data and ALPS/HULL analyses on a frigate ship hull model under sagging moment tested by UK Royal Navy and on two double-skin tanker hull models under sagging or hogging moments tested by US Navy. Some ALPS/HULL application examples to progressive collapse analysis of a double-skin shuttle tanker hull under combined vertical and horizontal bending moments are then demonstrated. It is concluded that ISUM is very useful for the progressive hull girder collapse analysis of ships because it provides very accurate results while the computing time is very short.

With no beams, reinforced concrete flat slab buildings are typically built to advance urban growth and to meet the architectural needs of large spans and low storey heights. Its behaviour to avoid a progressive collapse must therefore be investigated. In this research, the progressive collapse resistance of six-storey RC flat slab buildings with varying span lengths and floor heights is assessed by subjecting the building to three different instances of instantaneous removal of columns in the first storey, performing dynamic progressive collapse analysis as per GSA guidelines, and comparing the evaluated joint displacements and chord rotations at column removal locations with the permissible chord rotation for flat slab buildings as per DoD guidelines. The results have shown that the studied flat slab building with all different span lengths and floor heights is prone to progressive collapse. It is also observed that the vertical displacements and chord rotations at column removal positions increase as the span lengths and storey heights are increased alternately.

An analysis is described that models the behavior of planar prestressed concrete cable‐stayed bridges up to failure taking into account geometric and material nonlinearities. The geometric nonlinearities arise from cable sag, large deformations of the system, and from the shift of the centroid of the deck section caused by the material or by cracking of the concrete. The effect of the axial forces on the stiffness of the members is also considered. Material nonlinearities are encountered when one or more of the structure components, namely the stay cables, prestressing tendons, the reinforcement, or the concrete, exceed their elastic limits. Parametric studies are made on cable‐stayed bridges with the following cable arrangements: fan, semifan and harp‐type cable arrangement. To demonstrate the influence of the different types of nonlinearity on the internal forces and reactions three analyses were performed—namely elastic, geometric nonlinear, and geometric and material nonlinear analyses—and the results...

Impact response of laminated composite plates: Prediction and verification

Progressive collapse is defined as the spread of an initial local failure from a key element to adjacent elements, eventually resulting in the collapse of the whole structure or a disproportionately large part of it. As an abnormal dynamic load, blast load has the characteristic of rapid propagation, high peak value and short duration. And it is also one of the main reasons that might cause the progressive collapse of building structures. Based on the existing research achievements on the progressive collapse of building structures, in this paper the classification method for structural progressive collapse analysis is put forward. Then the current methods for progressive collapse analysis are further divided into two categories, i.e., the method for evaluation of structural progressive collapse resistance and the method for whole process analysis of structural progressive collapse. Recent progress on the evaluation of structural progressive collapse resistance and the method for whole process analysis of structural progressive collapse are presented from literatures. Finally, the conceptual design method, structural detailing and the procedure for progressive collapse resistant design of building structures against blast loading are put forward.

Determination of dynamic collapse limit states using the energy-based method for multi-story RC frames subjected to column removal scenarios