• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.265-283
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• 2021

To ensure that fire induced collapse of a building is prevented it is important to understand the sequence of events that can lead to this event. In this paper, the initiation of collapse mechanisms of generic a multi-storey steel frame subjected to vertical and horizontal travelling fires are analysed computationally by tracking the formation of plastic hinges in the frame and generation of fire induced loads. Both uniform and travelling fires are considered. In total 58 different cases are analysed using finite element software LS-DYNA. For the frame examined with a simple and generic structural arrangement and higher applied fire protection to the columns, the results indicate that collapse mechanisms for singe floor and multiple floor fires can be each split into two main groups. For single floor fires (taking place in the upper floors of the frame (Group S1)), collapse is initiated by the pull-in of external columns when heated beams in end bays go into catenary action. For single floor fires occurring on the lower floors(Group S2), failure is initiated (i.e. ultimate strain of the material is exceeded) after the local beam collapse. Failure in both groups for single floor fires is governed by the generation of high loads due to restrained thermal expansion and the loss of material strength. For multiple floor fires with a low number of fire floors (1 to 3) - Group M1, failure is dominated by the loss of material strength and collapse is mainly initiated by the pull-in of external columns. For the cases with a larger number of fire floors (5 to 10) - Group M2, failure is dominated by thermal expansion and collapse is mainly initiated by swaying of the frame to the side of fire origin. The results show that for the investigated frame initiation of collapse mechanisms are affected by the fire type, the number of fire floors, and the location of the fire floor. The findings of this study could be of use to designers of buildings when developing fire protection strategies for steel framed buildings where the potential for a multifloor fire exists.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.1085-1098
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• 2014

Plastic mechanism analysis of structures subjected to large deformation has long been used in order to determine collapse mechanisms of steel structures, and the energy absorbed in plastic deformation during such collapses. In this paper the technique is applied to vehicle roof structures that undergo large plastic deformation as a result of rollover crashes. The components of such roof structures are typically steel spot-welded hat-type sections. Ten different deformation mechanisms are defined from investigations of real-world rollover crashes, and an analytical technique to determine the plastic collapse load and energy absorption of such mechanisms is determined. The procedure is presented in a generic manner, such that it may be applied to any vehicle structure undergoing a rollover induced collapse. The procedure is applied to an exemplar vehicle, in order to demonstrate its application in determining the energy absorbed in the deformation of the identified collapse mechanisms. The procedure will be useful to forensic crash reconstructionists, in order to accurately determine the initial travel velocity of a vehicle that has undergone a rollover and for which the post-crash vehicle deformation is known. It may also be used to perform analytical studies of the collapse resistance of vehicle roof structures for optimisation purposes, which is also demonstrated with an analysis of the effect of varying the geometric and material properties of the roof structure components of the exemplar vehicle.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 1988

For the collapse of structures due to the variable repeated load, two types of collapse mechanisms, i.e., incremental collapse and alternating plasticity, exist. Under the similar variable repeated loading conditions there exists shakedown state in the structures. In shakedown state, the number of plastic hinges are not increased and all further loading will be resulted in the elastic moment changes. Namely, under the shakedown state, structures do not collapse. In this investigation, shakedown analysis are performed by composing new computer programs. Basic theories employed to compose the programs are as follows. 1. Newton-Raphson methods are added to the existing matrix method for the plastic analysis. 2. An effort to construct the stiffness of axial and bending springs attached at both ends of the member has been made. By using the programs developed, it is possible to anticipate the collapse mechanisms (Incremental collapse, alternating plasticity). Lastly for the verification of performance of the program, demonstration examples have been solved and the results are compared with other sources.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.351-366
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• 2016

The structural collapse of masonry structure under dynamic loading displays many possible failure mechanisms often related to interaction between structural components. Roof collapse is one of the major damage mechanisms observed in masonry structures during an earthquake. Better connection between the roof diaphragm and walls may be preventing roof collapse, but it can affect other failure mechanisms. In spite of this fact, less attention has been paid to the influence of the roof diaphragm effect on masonry structures and little research has been implemented in this field. In the present study, the roof diaphragm effect on the unreinforced masonry structure under dynamic loading has been experimentally investigated. Three one-quarter scale one-story adobe masonry house models with different roof conditions have been tested by subjecting them to sinusoid loading on a shaking table simulator. Phenomena such as failure pattern, dynamic performance of masonry structure were examined.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.479-497
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• 2016

Many experimental studies have evaluated the in-plane behavior of reinforced concrete frames in order to understand mechanisms that resist progressive collapse. The effects of transverse beams, frames and slabs often are neglected due to their probable complexities. In the present study, an experimental and numerical assessment is performed to investigate the effects of transverse beams on the collapse behavior of reinforced concrete frames. Tests were undertaken on a 3/10-scale reinforced concrete sub-assemblage, consisting of a double-span beam and two end columns within the frame plane connected to a transverse frame at the middle joint. The specimen was placed under a monotonic vertical load to simulate the progressive collapse of the frame. Alternative load paths, mechanism of formation and development of cracks and major resistance mechanisms were compared with a two-dimensional scaled specimen without a transverse beam. The results demonstrate a general enhancement in resistance mechanisms with a considerable emphasis on the flexural capacity of the transverse beam. Additionally, the role of the transverse beam in restraining the rotation of the middle joint was evident, which in turn leads to more ductile behavior. A macro-model was also developed to further investigate progressive collapse in three dimensions. Along with the validated numerical model, a parametric study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the removed column location and beam section details on the progressive collapse behavior.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.883-897
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• 2012

Cold-formed channel sections are used in a variety of applications in which they are required to absorb deformation energy. This paper investigates the collapse behaviour and energy absorption capability of cold-formed steel channels with flange edge stiffeners under large deformation major-axis bending. The Yield Line Mechanism technique is applied using the energy method, and based upon measured spatial plastic collapse mechanisms from experiments. Analytical solutions for the collapse curve and in-plane rotation capacity are developed, and used to model the large deformation behaviour and energy absorption. The analytical results are shown to compare well with experimental values. Due to the complexities of the yield line model of the collapse mechanism, a simplified procedure to calculate the energy absorbed by channel sections under large bending deformation is developed and also shown to compare well with the experiments.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.149-157
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• 2002

This paper is to investigate collapse mechanisms of CFRP(Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics)composite tubes and to evaluate collapse characteristics on the change of interlaiminar number and ply orientation angle of outer under static and impact axial compression loads. When a CFRP composite tube is crushed, static/impact energy is consumed by friction between the loading plate and the splayed fronds of the tube, by fracture of the fibers, matrix and their interface. These are associated with the energy absorption capability. In general, CFRP tube with 6 interlaminar number(C-type), absorbed more energy than other tubes(A, B, D-types). The maximum collapse load seemed to increase as the interlaminar number of such tubes increases. The collapse mode depended upon orientation angle of outer of CFRP tubes and loading status(static/impact). Typical collapse modes of CFRP tubes are wedge collapse mode, splaying collapse mode and fragmentation collapse mode. The wedge collapse mode was shown in case of CFRP tubes with 0° orientation angle of outer under static and impact loadings. The splaying collapse mode was shown in only case of CFRP tubes with 90°orientation angle of outer under static loadings, however in Impact tests those were collapsed in fragmentation mode .

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.663-679
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• 2021

To elucidate the differences in the collapse behavior between a single-story beam-column assembly and multi-story frame, two 1/3-scale two-bay composite frames, including a single-story composite beam-column assembly and a three-story composite sub-frame, were designed and quasi-statically tested. The load-displacement responses, failure modes, and internal force development of the two frames were analyzed and compared in detail. Furthermore, the resistance mechanisms of the two specimens were explored, and the respective contributions of different load-resisting mechanisms to the total resistances were quantitatively separated to gain deeper insights. The experimental tests indicated that Vierendeel action was present in the two-dimensional multi-story frames, which led to an uneven internal force distribution among the three stories. The collapse resistance of TSDWA-3S in the flexural stage was not significantly increased by the structural redundancy provided by the additional story, as compared to that of TSDWA-1S. Although the development of the load response was similar in the two specimens at flexural stage, the collapse mechanisms of the multi-story composite frame were much more complicated than those of the single-story beam-column assembly, and the combined action between stories was critical in determining the internal force redistribution and rebalancing of the remaining structure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.79-93
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• 2011

A simple mechanical model is proposed to demonstrate qualitatively the pancake progressive collapse of multi-storey structures. The impact between two collapsed storeys is simulated using a simple algorithm that builds on virtual mass-spring-damper system. To analyze various collapse modes, columns and beams are considered separately. Parametric studies show that the process of progressive collapse involves a large number of complex mechanisms. However, the proposed model provides a simple numerical tool to assess the overall behavior of collapse arising from a few initiating causes. Unique features, such as beam-to-beam connection failure criterion, and beam-to-column connection failure criterion are incorporated into the program. Besides, the criterion of local failure of structural members can also be easily incorporated into the proposed model.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.749-764
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• 2014

Structural safety has always been a key preoccupation for engineers responsible for the design of civil engineering projects. One of the mechanisms of structural failure, which has gathered increasing attention over the past few decades, is referred to as 'progressive collapse' which happens when one or several structural members suddenly fail, whatever the cause (accident, attack, seismic loading(.Any weakness in design or construction of structural elements can induce the progressive collapse in structures, during seismic loading. Masonry infill panels have significant influence on structure response against the lateral load. Therefore in this paper, seismic performance and shear strength of R.C frames with brick infill panel under various lateral loading patterns are investigated. This evaluation is performed by nonlinear static analysis. The results provided important information for additional design guidance on seismic safety of RC frames with brick infill panel under progressive collapse.