Title: Experimental Study of Reinforced Concrete Assemblies under Column Removal Scenario

Author(s): H. S. Lew, Yihai Bao, Santiago Pujol, and Mete A. Sozen

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 111

Issue: 4

Appears on pages(s): 881-892

Keywords: buildings; catenary action; concrete structures; disproportionate collapse; full-scale tests; joint-rotation capacity; progressive collapse

DOI: 10.14359/51686739

Date: 7/1/2014

Abstract:
This paper presents an experimental study of two full-scale reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column assemblies under a column removal scenario. The assemblies represent part of the exterior moment-resisting frames of two 10-story RC frame buildings: one designed for Seismic Design Category C (SDC C), and the other for SDC D. Intermediate moment frames (IMFs) and special moment frames (SMFs) are integrated in the SDC C and SDC D designs, respectively. The assemblies were subjected to monotonically increasing vertical displacement of the center column. With increased vertical displacement, three stages of load-carrying mechanism are clearly seen. The test results show that the ultimate loads under the column removal scenario are primarily resisted through the development of catenary action. The tensile force increase is limited by the fracture strength of the tensile reinforcement of the beams. The beam-endrotational capacities under monotonic column displacement are seven to eight times as large as the acceptance criterion in ASCE/SEI 41-06, which are based on seismic test data.