An Overview of Progressive Collapse Behavior of Steel Beam-to-Column Connections

Abstract

Local failure of one or more components due to abnormal loading can induce the progressive collapse of a building structure. In this study, by the aid of available full-scale test results on double-span systems subjected to the middle column loss scenario, an extensive parametric study was performed to investigate the effects of different design parameters on progressive collapse performance of beam-to-column connections, i.e., beam span-to-depth ratio, catenary mechanism, and connection robustness. The selected full-scale double-span assemblies consisted of fully rigid (welded flange-welded web, SidePlate), semi-rigid (flush end-plate, extended end-plate), and flexible connections (top and seat angle, web cleat). The test results, including load-deformation responses, development of the catenary mechanism, and connection robustness, are presented in detail. The finding of this research further enables a comprehensive comparison between different types of steel beam-to-column connections since the effects of span-to-depth ratio and beam sections were filtered out.

Special Issue on “Buildings and Structures under Extreme Loads II”

“…Experimental studies are thus reported in [2] for Bonded-in-Rod (BIR) connections under various operational conditions for bonding adhesives, while the study in [3] presents a critical analysis of performance indicators for timber-to-timber screwed connections with various configurations. As far as connections parameters are taken into account for steel structures are considered, several calculation approaches can be notoriously taken into account in support of design [4]. The study presented in [5] and validated to literature experiments for bolted connections proves that artificial intelligence can offer useful feedback and support for component design optimization.…”

“…Depending on their actual mechanical features and capacities, as well as sensitivity to external conditions, the structural performance assessment of the building as a whole can be strongly affected. In this regard, a first set of research papers is dedicated to the experimental, numerical or hybrid analysis of special joints for constructional systems, under a variety of mechanical properties and loading conditions [2][3][4][5][6]. For timber structures, for example, it is known that both material and geometrical parameters for connections arrangement can have severe effects on mechanical performances, in the same way of moisture, loading protocol, etc.…”

Numerical Study on the Mechanical Properties of Transmission Tower K-Joints under Cyclic Loading

“…ey have a certain rotational stiffness and can bear part of the bending moment when a certain rotation occurs. To obtain the true mechanical response of structures, semirigid joints must be considered [1][2][3]. At present, research on semirigid joints mostly focuses on the beam-column connections of frame structures.…”

Performance Assessment of an Energy–Based Approximation Method for the Dynamic Capacity of RC Frames Subjected to Sudden Column Removal Scenarios

“…Progressive collapse triggered by extreme events is often accompanied by catastrophic losses in terms of human lives and the economy, e.g., as experienced in the 1995 Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building collapse [1][2][3][4][5]. Therefore, the robust design of structures has gained importance during the last decades [6,7]. Both in experimental tests [8][9][10][11] and some design codes, e.g., DoD [12], the threat-independent alternative load path (ALP) method is widely used to evaluate the performance of reinforced concrete (RC) building structures against disproportionate or progressive collapse through the notional removal of one or more load-bearing structural members.…”