Load Distribution after Failure of an RC Column on Moment-Resistant Frames

Abstract

Progressive collapse can be defined as partially or entirely failure of a structure after failure of an element. Capacity loss of an element creates new load distribution and additional loads for other parts of the structure. To accurately evaluate the progressive collapse of the structure, it is needed to accurate estimation of load distribution after failure. Sudden removal of a column is a widely used approach to evaluate the progressive collapse estimation of the structures. However, in this study, effect of removal of two different columns on the frame are studied under two conditions; a) sudden removal of column, b) progressive loss on the axial capacity of column. To model progressive axial capacity loss, author’s previously developed axial capacity of reinforced concrete column model is used. A 2D two-story two-bay benchmark frame is analyzed under pushdown and quasi-static cyclic loading. Distribution of loads after failure of a column is investigated under four different scenarios.