Assessment of Progressive Collapse in Reinforced Concrete Framed Structures Subjected to Seismic Actions

Abstract

Progressive collapse is a catastrophic structural event that occurs when failure of one or more structural member in the structure initiates a chain reaction resulting in partial or total collapse of the structure.To study the behavior of RC structure under the influence of seismic actions a load bearing vertical element like wall or column is removed and evaluated using nonlinear static pushdown analysis. For this a 3-D model is stimulated and a nonlinear static analysis is performed by removing a critical column at desired location in the plan prescribed by General Service Administration (GSA) guidelines. The importance of beams during a column loss is evaluated in the present study to resist possible progressive collapse.