Title: Progressive Collapse Resistance of RC Frames under a Side Column Removal Scenario: The Mechanism Explained

Author(s): Jian Hou, and Li Song

Publication: IJCSM

Volume: 10

Issue: 2

Appears on pages(s): 237–247

Keywords: progressive collapse, RC frame structures, catenary action, tensile membrane action.

DOI: 10.1007/s40069-016-0134-y

Date: 6/30/2016

Abstract:
Progressive collapse resistance of RC buildings can be analyzed by considering column loss scenarios. Using finiteelement analysis and a static test, the progressive collapse process of a RC frame under monotonic vertical displacement of a sidecolumn was investigated, simulating a column removal scenario. A single-story 1/3 scale RC frame that comprises two spans andtwo bays was tested and computed, and downward displacement of a side column was placed until failure. Our study offers insightinto the failure modes and progressive collapse behavior of a RC frame. It has been noted that the damage of structural members(beams and slabs) occurs only in the bay where the removal side column is located. Greater catenary action and tensile membraneaction are mobilized in the frame beams and slabs, respectively, at large deformations, but they mainly happen in the directionwhere the frame beams and slabs are laterally restrained. Based on the experimental and computational results, the mechanism ofprogressive collapse resistance of RC frames at different stages was discussed further. With large deformations, a simplifiedcalculation method for catenary action and tensile membrane action is proposed.