Effect of loading methods on progressive collapse behavior of RC beam-slab substructures under corner column removal scenario

Abstract

In this paper, high-fidelity finite element (FE) models were developed to investigate the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beam-slab substructures to resist progressive collapse under a corner column removal scenario. The numerical models were validated by test results. Then, the validated FE models were employed to investigate the structural behavior under different loading methods, including concentrated loading (CL) and uniformly distributed loading (UDL) methods. Moreover, multi-story frames were built to capture the load redistribution behavior of substructures at different floors under different loading methods. The results indicated that the loading methods affect overall structural responses, load transfer mechanisms, and failure modes. It was demonstrated that the Vierendeel action could not be ignored for multi-story frames to resist progressive collapse caused by the loss of a corner column scenario. More significant Vierendeel action was developed in the structure subjected to CL method than that subjected to UDL method. It was also found that the load transfer mechanisms developed in the top story and bottom story for a multi-story frame are pretty different from those in the middle stories. The bottom story has the most remarkable load resisting capacity.