Quantitative analysis of extra load-carrying mechanisms to prevent progressive collapse of reinforced concrete buildings

Abstract

Occurrence of progressive collapse events invariably leads to significant economic and human-life losses. Progressive collapse analysis and design of building structures have become a research hotspot worldwide. Existing studies have proved that development of extra load-carrying mechanisms could significantly improve the resistance of structures to progressive collapse. However, limited research has been conducted to quantitatively analyze these mechanisms. This study proposed a new and unified division method for mechanisms for resisting progressive collapse; furthermore, it provides a basis for their quantitative analysis. In addition, the progressive collapse behavior of a 1/3-scaled two-story, one-bay-by-two-bay reinforced concrete (beam–slab–column) frame with an edge column lost was experimentally investigated. Additionally, a 3 D solid finite element model was established and validated based on the test results. The effects of different extensive parameters, including ideal lateral constraints, slab thickness, and beam–slab interaction, on each resisting mechanism were quantitatively investigated. Finally, a new simple method for predicting the first peak load was proposed based on the contribution of each mechanism. The results from the simple method were in agreement with the simulation results of beam–slab–column structures.