Seismic Progressive Collapse Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Bridges by Applied Element Method

During seismic response, redistribution of load carried by damaged or failed structural members to adjacent members may lead to overstress or exceeding load resistant capacity of the other members resulting in spread or propagation of damage until development of collapse mechanisms in seismic progressive collapse of structures. To study the progressive collapse phenomenon of structures during earthquakes, nonlinear analyses of reinforced concrete bridges have been done carried out by the Applied Element Method (AEM). The simplicity of the AEM procedures which take into account fracture separation of structural components and the inertial impact load effects of falling debris makes it attractive for progressive collapse analysis of structures. The results show the detailed failure sequence and propagation of damage in the seismic progressive collapse of the analyzed bridges.