Progressive collapse of reinforced concrete building structures

Abstract

Progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) building structures can be assessed using column loss scenarios. The loss of either a penultimate-internal (PI) or a penultimate-external (PE) column is the most critical scenario since it leaves the associated beam-slab floor structures with lack of external lateral support. In this research, twelve double-span beam-slab substructures bridging over either penultimate column were designed, built and tested under static loading condition to investigate the collapse resistance of RC building structures. The associated rotationally-restrained but laterally-unrestrained boundary condition of the test specimens was effected by a set of pinned-end supporting columns. Uniformly distributed loads were simulated by a twelve-point loading system. Effects of catenary action and of concrete crushing on the overall load-carrying capacity at large deformations were re-evaluated using nonlinear finite element analysis. Based on both experimental and numerical results, a simplified approach for progressive collapse assessment of RC building structures was constructed.