Title:
Progressive Collapse Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Frame Buildings Designed for Non-Seismic Zones
Author(s):
Jorge A. Rivera-Cruz, Sergio F. Breña, and Simos Gerasimidis
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
123
Issue:
4
Appears on pages(s):
149-161
Keywords:
catenary action; non-seismic zones; perimeter frames; progressive collapse; reinforced concrete building; reinforcing detailing; shear failure; three-dimensional (3-D) modeling
DOI:
10.14359/51749495
Date:
7/1/2026
Abstract:
Progressive collapse behavior of reinforced concrete frame buildings has been studied extensively, but most research has focused on frames with seismic details. This paper presents results from analysis of the progressive collapse behavior of reinforced concrete frame buildings containing details used in regions of low seismicity following ACI 318-19. The analytical simulations presented in this paper include the effect of moment redistribution that occurs after plastic moments are reached at sections of maximum moment. Ten-story three-dimensional (3-D) frame models were designed in accordance with ACI 318-19 and analyzed under progressive collapse scenarios involving the non-simultaneous removal of an interior and a corner perimeter column following ASCE 76-23. Nonlinear material behavior in these analytical models was captured using a lumped plasticity approach using hinge properties calibrated using results from laboratory experiments of full-scale sub-assemblages representing a portion of the perimeter frame containing details corresponding to non-seismic zones. The effect of catenary action in beams after column removal was included in the analysis, and the potential for premature shear failure of beams was assessed. Furthermore, models were also constructed to investigate the beneficial effects of increased rotational capacity of perimeter beams that result from using closer stirrup spacing at beam ends. This study demonstrates the importance of incorporating properly detailed continuous longitudinal bars enclosed within closely spaced closed stirrups at ends of beams of reinforced concrete frames in non-seismic zones to provide progressive collapse resistance. The study also highlights the importance of accounting for 3-D effects in frame models to capture out-of-plane moment redistribution after the loss of supporting elements.
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