Reliability-based assessment of progressive collapse in horizontally irregular multi-story concrete buildings

Abstract

Structures’ resistance against progressive collapse varies depending on their design and taxonomy. However, despite numerous studies addressing the impact of geometric configuration, limited attention is given to the effect of irregularity. This study presents a reliability-based approach to evaluate the effect of horizontal irregularity on the progressive collapse potential of seismically designed concrete buildings. Incremental dynamic analysis is performed on three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models of six prototype buildings with different levels of horizontal irregularity subjected to four column removal scenarios. Probabilistic demand models are then derived to construct fragility curves based on the first-order reliability method. In addition, an analysis of covariance is performed to measure the sensitivity of demand models to column removal scenarios in terms of floor and location. The results show that the studied irregular buildings do not pose a greater risk of progressive collapse than the regular building. In addition, while the probability of collapse under sudden column removal is significantly low for the seismically designed concrete frames, all buildings are expected to experience significant damage under such abnormal loads.