Experimental and Numerical Study on the Robustness of Full-Scale Volumetric Steel Module under Sudden Support Removal Scenarios
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 36, Issue 1
Abstract
This paper presents and discusses the experimental and numerical results performed on a 3D modular steel frame under sudden corner support removal scenarios. A modular steel frame was designed according to Australian standards and fabricated in full scale. An experimental testing program was developed in which the module was examined under some robustness scenarios as sudden loss of one or two corner supports. The 3D dynamic response of the module was captured during the robustness (loss) scenarios, and the possible damages are reported. In addition, the detailed numerical finite element micromodel of the module was created, employing continuum solid elements. The numerical model was verified against the experimental results; based on that, other numerical models were generated to study the effects of mass distribution and different boundary conditions in real modular assemblies under corner support loss scenarios.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the support of Australian Research Council (ARC) Grant DE190100113 in this research project and writing of this paper.
References
ABAQUS. 2017. ABAQUS theory manual. Providence, RI: Simulia.
Adam, J. M., F. Parisi, J. Sagaseta, and X. Lu. 2018. “Research and practice on progressive collapse and robustness of building structures in the 21st century.” Eng. Struct. 173 (Oct): 122–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.06.082.
Alembagheri, M., and H. E. Estekanchi. 2011. “Nonlinear analysis of aboveground anchored steel tanks using endurance time method.” Asian J. Civ. Eng. 12 (6): 731–750.
Alembagheri, M., P. Sharafi, R. Hajirezaei, and B. Samali. 2020a. “Collapse capacity of modular steel buildings subject to module loss scenarios: The role of inter-module connections.” Eng. Struct. 210 (May): 110373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110373.
Alembagheri, M., P. Sharafi, R. Hajirezaei, and Z. Tao. 2020b. “Anti-collapse resistance mechanisms in corner-supported modular steel buildings.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 170 (Jul): 106083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2020.106083.
Alembagheri, M., P. Sharafi, M. Rashidi, A. Bigdeli, and M. Farajian. 2021. “Natural dynamic characteristics of volumetric steel modules with gypsum sheathed LSF walls: Experimental study.” Structures 33 (Oct): 272–282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2021.04.068.
Amiri, S., H. Saffari, and J. Mashhadi. 2018. “Assessment of dynamic increase factor for progressive collapse analysis of RC structures.” Eng. Fail. Anal. 84 (Feb): 300–310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2017.11.011.
Chen, Z., J. Liu, and Y. Yu. 2017a. “Experimental study on interior connections in modular steel buildings.” Eng. Struct. 147 (Sep): 625–638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2017.06.002.
Chen, Z., J. Liu, Y. Yu, C. Zhou, and R. Yan. 2017b. “Experimental study of an innovative modular steel building connection.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 139 (Dec): 69–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2017.09.008.
Chopra, A. K. 2001. Dynamics of structures: Theory and applications to earthquake engineering. Hoboken, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
DoD (Department of Defense). 2005. Design of buildings to resist progressive collapse. Washington, DC: DoD.
El-Tawil, S., H. Li, and S. Kunnath. 2014. “Computational simulation of gravity-induced progressive collapse of steel-frame buildings: Current trends and future research needs.” J. Struct. Eng. 140 (8): A2513001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000897.
Farajian, M., P. Sharafi, and K. Kildashti. 2020. “The influence of inter-module connections on the effective length of columns in multi-story modular steel frames.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 177 (Feb): 106450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2020.106450.
Fu, F. 2010. “3-D nonlinear dynamic progressive collapse analysis of multi-storey steel composite frame buildings—Parametric study.” Eng. Struct. 32 (12): 3974–3980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2010.09.008.
GSA (US General Services Administration). 2013. Alternate path analysis and design guidelines for progressive collapse resistance. Washington, DC: GSA.
Izzuddin, B. A., and D. A. Nethercot. 2009. “Design-oriented approaches for progressive collapse assessment: Load-factor vs. ductility-centred methods.” In Proc., Structures Congress 2009: Don’t Mess with Structural Engineers: Expanding Our Role. Reston, VA: ASCE. https://doi.org/10.1061/41031(341)198.
Kotsovinos, P., and A. Usmani. 2013. “The World Trade Center 9/11 disaster and progressive collapse of tall buildings.” Fire Technol. 49 (3): 741–765. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-012-0283-8.
Kunnath, S. K., Y. Bao, and S. El-Tawil. 2018. “Advances in computational simulation of gravity-induced disproportionate collapse of RC frame buildings.” J. Struct. Eng. 144 (2): 03117003. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0001938.
Kwasniewski, L. 2010. “Nonlinear dynamic simulations of progressive collapse for a multistory building.” Eng. Struct. 32 (5): 1223–1235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2009.12.048.
Lacey, A. W., W. Chen, H. Hao, and K. Bi. 2018. “Structural response of modular buildings–an overview.” J. Build. Eng. 16 (Mar): 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2017.12.008.
Lacey, A. W., W. Chen, H. Hao, and K. Bi. 2019. “Review of bolted inter-module connections in modular steel buildings.” J. Build. Eng. 23 (May): 207–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.01.035.
Lawson, M., R. Ogden, and C. Goodier. 2014. Design in modular construction. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Lawson, P. M., M. P. Byfield, S. O. Popo-Ola, and P. J. Grubb. 2008. “Robustness of light steel frames and modular construction.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. Struct. Build. 161 (1): 3–16. https://doi.org/10.1680/stbu.2008.161.1.3.
Lawson, R. M., A. G. J. Way, M. Heywood, J. B. P. Lim, R. Johnston, and K. Roy. 2020. “Stability of light steel walls in compression with plasterboards on one or both sides.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. Struct. Build. 173 (6): 394–412. https://doi.org/10.1680/jstbu.18.00118.
Lawson, S. H. 2017. “AFCEC conducts CONEX dorm field testing.” Accessed September 14, 2020. http://www.afcec.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1157092/afcec-conducts-conex-dorm-field-testing/.
Pearson, C., and N. Delatte. 2005. “Ronan Point Apartment tower collapse and its effect on building codes.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil. 19 (2): 172–177. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3828(2005)19:2(172).
Rashidi, M., P. Sharafi, M. Alembagheri, A. Bigdeli, and B. Samali. 2020. “Operational modal analysis, testing and modelling of prefabricated steel modules with different LSF composite walls.” Materials (Basel) 13 (24): 5816. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13245816.
Sanches, R., O. Mercan, and B. Roberts. 2018. “Experimental investigations of vertical post-tensioned connection for modular steel structures.” Eng. Struct. 175 (Nov): 776–789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.08.049.
Sharafi, P., M. Alembagheri, K. Kildashti, and H. T. Ganji. 2021a. “Gravity-induced progressive collapse response of precast corner-supported modular buildings.” J. Archit. Eng. 27 (4): 04021031. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AE.1943-5568.0000499.
Sharafi, P., M. Mortazavi, B. Samali, and H. Ronagh. 2018a. “Interlocking system for enhancing the integrity of multi-storey modular buildings.” Autom. Constr. 85 (Jan): 263–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.10.023.
Sharafi, P., M. Mortazavi, N. Usefi, K. Kildashti, H. Ronagh, and B. Samali. 2018b. “Lateral force resisting systems in lightweight steel frames: Recent research advances.” Thin-Walled Struct. 130 (Sep): 231–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2018.04.019.
Sharafi, P., M. Rashidi, M. Alembagheri, and A. Bigdeli. 2021b. “System identification of a volumetric steel modular frame using experimental and numerical vibration analysis.” J. Archit. Eng. 27 (4): 04021032. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AE.1943-5568.0000498.
Sharafi, P., M. Rashidi, B. Samali, H. Ronagh, and M. Mortazavi. 2018c. “Identification of factors and decision analysis of the level of modularization in building construction.” J. Archit. Eng. 24 (2): 04018010. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AE.1943-5568.0000313.
Sharafi, P., B. Samali, H. Ronagh, and M. Ghodrat. 2017. “Automated spatial design of multi-story modular buildings using a unified matrix method.” Autom. Constr. 82 (Oct): 31–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.06.025.
Standards Australia. 1998. Steel structures. AS 4100. Sydney, Australia: Standards Australia.
Standards Australia. 2012. Standards association of Australia (SAA). AS 1170.2. Sydney, Australia: Standards Australia.
Tsai, M.-H. 2012. “Assessment of analytical load and dynamic increase factors for progressive collapse analysis of building frames.” Adv. Struct. Eng. 15 (1): 41–54. https://doi.org/10.1260/1369-4332.15.1.41.
UFC (Unified Facilities Criteria). 2013. Design of buildings to resist progressive collapse. Washington, DC: UFC.
Yazdani, Y., and M. Alembagheri. 2017. “Effects of base and lift joints on the dynamic response of concrete gravity dams to pulse-like excitations.” J. Earthquake Eng. 21 (5): 840–860. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632469.2016.1185056.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 36 • Issue 1 • February 2022
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 17, 2021
Accepted: Oct 12, 2021
Published online: Nov 12, 2021
Published in print: Feb 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Apr 12, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.