Numerical studies on the effect of plan irregularities in the progressive collapse of steel structures

Abstract

This research examines the effect of plan irregularities on the progressive collapse of four steel structures located in regions with different seismic activity. The plans of the first and second structure are irregular, whilst those of the third and fourth structures are regular. The collapse patterns of the four buildings are examined and compared under seven loading scenarios using non-linear dynamic and static analyses. In the non-linear dynamic analyses, node displacements above the removed columns and the additional force on the columns adjacent to them are discussed. Furthermore, the strength and capacities of the columns are compared to determine their susceptibility to collapse. In the non-linear static analyses, the pushdown curve and yield load factor of the structures are obtained after column removal. The results indicate that an irregular structure designed in site class C seismic zone, collapses in most of the column-removal scenarios. Moreover, when comparing regular and irregular structures designed in site class E seismic zone, the demand force to capacity ratio (D/C) of the columns in the irregular structures is on average between 1.5 and 2 times that of the regular ones.