Simplified approach for analysing building structures subjected to sudden column removal scenarios

Abstract

Modern building design code provisions for robustness are often linked to the hazard scenario of a sudden single column removal. A sufficient, homogeneous and measurable level of structural integrity can be achieved in most buildings by specific design for this scenario. Buildings subjected to this hazard exhibit a complex behaviour and require cumbersome analysis procedures to calculate their structural response. Alternatively, a simpler procedure, based on energy balance, has been introduced recently. This approach leads to the approximate maximum dynamic response of the structural system. The current paper presents a comprehensive study of this method. The theoretical background and the physical interpretation are illustrated, together with the assumed approximations. In addition, a numerical parameter study for simplified systems is performed in order to isolate the effect of these assumptions. This investigation shows that, although the energy balance method is sensitive to certain parameters, it yields accurate results and exhibits a high potential for analysing sudden column removal scenarios.