• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.107-122
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• 2024

Following an internal column failure, adjacent double-span beams above the failed column will play a critical role in the load transfer and internal force redistribution within the remaining structure, and the span-to-depth ratios of double-span beams significantly influence the structural resistance capacity against progressive collapse. Most existing studies have focused on the collapse-resistant performances of single-story symmetric structures, whereas limited published works are available on the collapse resistances of multi-story steel frames with unequal spans. To this end, in this study, numerical models based on shell elements were employed to investigate the structural behavior of multi-story steel frames with unequal spans. The simulation models were validated using the previous experimental results obtained for single- and two-story steel frames, and the load-displacement responses and internal force development of unequal-span three-story steel frames under three cases were comprehensively analyzed. In addition, the specific contributions of the different mechanism resistances of unequal-span, double-span beams of each story were separated quantitatively using the energy equilibrium theory, with an aim to gain a deeper level of understanding of the load-resistance mechanisms in the unequal-span steel frames. The results showed that the axial and flexural mechanism resistances were determined by the span ratio and linear stiffness ratio of double-span beams, respectively.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.649-665
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• 2020

One of the most important issues in structural systems is evaluation of the margin of safety in low and mid-rise buildings against the progressive collapse mechanism due to the earthquake loads. In this paper, modeling of collapse propagation in structural elements of RC frame buildings is evaluated by tracing down the collapse points in beam and column structural elements, one after another, under earthquake loads and the influence of column removal is investigated on how the collapse expansion in beam and column structural members. For this reason, progressive collapse phenomenon is studied in 3-story and 5-story intermediate moment resisting frame buildings due to the corner and edge column removal in presence of the earthquake loads. In this way, distribution and propagation of the collapse in progressive collapse mechanism is studied, from the first element of the structure to the collapse of a large part of the building with investigating and comparing the results of nonlinear time history analyses (NLTHA) in presence of two-component accelograms proposed by FEMA_P695. Evaluation of the results, including the statistical survey of the number and sequence of the collapsed points in process of the collapse distribution in structural system, show that the progressive collapse distribution are special and similar in low-rise and mid-rise RC buildings due to the simultaneous effects of the column removal and the earthquake loads and various patterns of the progressive collapse distribution are proposed and presented to predict the collapse propagation in structural elements of similar buildings. So, the results of collapse distribution patterns and comparing the values of collapse can be utilized to provide practical methods in codes and guidelines to enhance the structural resistance against the progressive collapse mechanism and eventually, the value of damage can be controlled and minimized in similar buildings.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.691-707
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• 2020

One of the most important issues in structural systems is evaluation of the margin of safety in low and mid-rise buildings against the progressive collapse mechanism due to the earthquake loads. In this paper, modeling of collapse propagation in structural elements of RC frame buildings is evaluated by tracing down the collapse points in beam and column structural elements, one after another, under earthquake loads and the influence of column removal is investigated on how the collapse expansion in beam and column structural members. For this reason, progressive collapse phenomenon is studied in 3-story and 5-story intermediate moment resisting frame buildings due to the corner and edge column removal in presence of the earthquake loads. In this way, distribution and propagation of the collapse in progressive collapse mechanism is studied, from the first element of the structure to the collapse of a large part of the building with investigating and comparing the results of nonlinear time history analyses (NLTHA) in presence of two-component accelograms proposed by FEMA_P695. Evaluation of the results, including the statistical survey of the number and sequence of the collapsed points in process of the collapse distribution in structural system, show that the progressive collapse distribution are special and similar in low-rise and mid-rise RC buildings due to the simultaneous effects of the column removal and the earthquake loads and various patterns of the progressive collapse distribution are proposed and presented to predict the collapse propagation in structural elements of similar buildings. So, the results of collapse distribution patterns and comparing the values of collapse can be utilized to provide practical methods in codes and guidelines to enhance the structural resistance against the progressive collapse mechanism and eventually, the value of damage can be controlled and minimized in similar buildings.

• 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.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.383-399
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• 2021

In the study, three 1:3-scale unequal span steel-concrete composite substructures with top-seat angle and double web angle connection were designed and identified as specimens GTSDWA-0.6, GTSDWA-1.0, and GTSDWA-1.4. Pseudo-static tests and refined numerical model analysis were conducted to examine the anti-progressive collapse performance of a semi-rigid steel-concrete composite substructure. The results indicated that the failure modes of the three specimens revealed that the fracture occurred in the root of the long leg of the top/seat angle in tension at the connection. With increases in the span ratio of the left and right composite beams, the bearing capacities of the composite substructures decreased, and the corresponding displacement increased. With respect to GTSDWA-0.6 and GTSDWA-1.4, the resistance due to the short composite beam corresponded to 62% and 60%, respectively, and the total resistance provided by the short composite beam exceeded that of the long composite beam. With respect to GTSDWA-1.0, the resistance due to the left and right composite beams was similar. All three specimens underwent the flexure mechanism and flexure-axial mixed mechanism stages. They resisted the external load mainly via the flexure mechanism. Moreover, the addition of stiffeners on both sides of the top and seat angles is advantageous in terms of improving the collapse resistance and ductility of unequal span composite substructures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.65-80
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• 2023

To explore the effect of Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) on improving the progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete frames under a middle column removal scenario, six beam-column substructures were tested by quasistatic vertical loading. Among the six specimens, four were ECC-concrete composite specimens consisting of different depth of ECC at the bottom or top of the beam and concrete in the rest of the beam, while the other two are ordinary reinforced concrete specimens with different concrete strength grades for comparison. The experimental results demonstrated that ECC-concrete composite specimens can improve the bearing capacity of a beam-column substructure at the stages of compressive arch action (CAA) and catenary action in comparison with ordinary concrete specimen. Under the same depth of ECC, the progressive collapse resistance of a specimen with ECC at the beam bottom was superior to that at the beam top. With the increase of the proportion of ECC arranged at the beam bottom, the bearing capacity of a composite substructure was increased, but the increase rate slows down with the proportion. Meanwhile, the nonlinear numerical analysis software MSC Marc was used to simulate the whole loading process of the six specimens. Theoretical formulas to calculate the capacities of ECC-concrete composite specimens at the stages of flexural action, CAA and catenary action are proposed. Based on the research results, this study suggests that ECC should be laid out at the beam bottom and the layout depth should be within 25% of the total beam depth.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2013

Progressive collapse is generally defined as a local failure of structural members occurring due to abnormal load which results in the partial collapse or total collapse of a structure. Unlike progressive collapse, explosive demolition is a method of inducing the total collapse of structure by removing all or portion of structural members. In explosive demolition the partial collapse of the structural members can be controlled at appropriate time intervals by blasting, to induce the progressive collapse of the structure and control the collapse behavior. In this study, a nonlinear dynamic analysis was carried out in order to apply the progressive collapse process to explosive demolition design of the RC structure. The occurrence of progressive collapse of analytical models was examined according to the number of floors, the removed column height and span length. For models that resisted progressive collapse, progressive collapse resisting capacity was evaluated.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.279-292
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• 2023

Structural design against the progressive collapse has been a vital necessity for decades due to occasional tragic events. The question of whether designed structures against the progressive collapse are still robust if subjected to multi-hazard scenarios containing column removal and successive localized fires is ad-dressed in the current study. Two seven-story steel structures with an identical area but different structural configurations of 4- and 5-bays are designed against the progressive collapse; the structural components are also fireproofed for a 60 min fire resistance. The structures are then subjected to different column re-moval scenarios over different stories followed immediately by localized fires. Results indicate that the structures are not able to keep their stability under all of the considered scenarios; the 4-bay structure is more vulnerable than the 5-bay structure. It is also indicated that upper stories are more sensitive toward the considered scenarios than lower stories. To advance structural safety, two strategies are adopted: in-creasing the thickness of the insulation materials to reduce the thermal effects, or, increasing the safety fac-tor (ΩN) of the structures when designing against the progressive collapse. As for the first strategy, provid-ing a 35% and a 25% increase in the insulation thicknesses of the structural components of the 4-bay and 5-bay structures, respectively, can prevent a progressive collapse to trigger. As for the second strategy, in-creasing ΩN by 10% can enhance the structural integrity to where no collapse occurs under all of the sce-narios.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.234-240
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• 2011

This study deals with progressive collapse of a structure retrofitted with MR dampers. In order to assess their effect of mitigation which prevents progressive collapse, control force ratio is defined by friction force of MR dampers divided by external force. First, simple model of a structure with MR dampers is suggested. Using the model, exact solution with the control force ratio is obtained. When and where the system is stopped is predicted by the derived solution. Through the dissipated energy by MR dampers during collapse event, equivalent damping ratio is derived. Finally, comparison of exact and equivalent solutions is presented.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.108-116
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• 2017

In this study, the prototype structure of seismically designed steel moment frame was analyzed statically and dynamically in order to demonstrate the applicability of energy-based approximate analysis with the dynamic effect of sudden column loss in the evaluation of the collapse resistance and a method for assessing the sensitivity to progressive collapse was proposed. For the purpose of comparing the structural behavior of buildings with different structural systems, the sensitivity of the structure to the sudden removal of vertical members can be used as a significant measure. The energy-based approximate analysis prediction for the prototype structure considered in the study showed good agreement with the dynamic analysis result. In the sensitivity evaluation, the structural robustness index that indicates the ability of a structure to resist collapse induced by abnormal loads was used. It was confirmed that the proposed methods can be used conveniently and rationally in progressive collapse analysis and design.