Simplified Methods for Progressive Collapse Assessment of Frame Structures
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 11
Abstract
The Imperial College Robustness Assessment Framework is a methodology—based upon application of the alternate load path concept—for quantitatively comparing the performance of different structural arrangements to a threat-independent triggering event (removal of a single column) with the potential to induce a progressive collapse of the structure. Initially, it depended upon the numerical analysis of a representative beam. More recently, the application of more basic structural mechanics has been found to yield almost identical results at a fraction of the cost, thereby making use of the approach by nonspecialists far simpler. Although this study was mainly restricted to the coverage of steel and composite frame structures, the principles apply to any construction type. Important aspects of these simplifications, including demonstrating both the accuracy and rigor of the resulting approach and the ease with which many variants of a proposed scheme may be compared in such a way that the precise influence of key variables may readily be assessed, are collected together herein.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Data and models generated or used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request.
References
CEN (European Committee for Standardisation). 2006. Actions on structures—Part 1–7: General actions—Accidental actions. EN 1991-1-7, Eurocode 1. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2004. Design of composite steel and concrete structures—Part 1.1: General rules and rules for buildings. EN 1994-1-1, Eurocode 4. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2005. Design of steel structures—Part 1.8: Design of joints. EN 1993-1-8, Eurocode 3. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
Da Silva, L. S., L. R. O. de Lima, P. C. G. da s Vellasco, and S. A. L. de Andrade. 2004. “Behaviour of flush end-plate beam-to-column joints under bending and axial force.” Steel Compos. Struct. 4 (2): 77–94. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2004.4.2.077.
DoD (Department of Defense). 2013. Unified facilities criteria: Design of buildings to resist progressive collapse. UFC 4-023-03. Washington, DC: DoD.
FEMA. 2002. World Trade Centre building performance study: Data collection, preliminary observations, and recommendations. Washington, DC: FEMA.
Griffiths, H., A. Pugsley, and O. Saunders. 1968. Report of the inquiry into the collapse of flats at Ronan Point, Canning Town. London: Her Majesty’s Stationary Office.
GSA (General Service Administration). 2013. Alternative path analysis & design guidelines for progressive collapse resistance. Washington, DC: GSA.
Gudmundsson, G. V., and B. A. Izzuddin. 2010. “The ‘sudden column loss’ idealisation for disproportionate collapse assessment.” Struct. Eng. 88 (6): 22–26.
Izzuddin, B. A., and D. A. Nethercot. 2009. “Design-oriented approaches for progressive collapse assessment: Load-factor vs. ductility-centred methods.” In Proc., ASCE Structures Congress ’09, 1791–1800. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Izzuddin, B. A., A. G. Vlassis, A. Y. Elghazouli, and D. A. Nethercot. 2008. “Progressive collapse of multi-storey buildings due to sudden column loss—Part I: Simplified assessment framework.” Eng. Struct. 30 (5): 1308–1318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2007.07.011.
Li, G.-Q., L.-L. Li, B. Jiang, and Y. Lu. 2018. “Experimental study on progressive collapse resistance of steel frames under a sudden column removal scenario.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 147 (Aug): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2018.03.023.
Li, H., X. Cai, L. Zhang, B. Zhang, and W. Wang. 2017. “Progressive collapse of steel moment-resisting frame subjected to loss of interior column: Experimental tests.” Eng. Struct. 150 (Nov): 203–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2017.07.051.
Li, H., and S. El-Tawil. 2014. “Three-dimensional effects and collapse resistance mechanisms in steel frame buildings.” J. Struct. Eng. 140 (8): A4014017. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000839.
Nethercot, D. A., B. A. Izzuddin, A. Y. Elghazouli, and A. G. Vlassis. 2007. “Aligning progressive collapse with conventional structural design.” In Vol. I of Proc., Advances in Steel Structures, edited by J. Y. R. Liew and Y. S. Choo, 1–21. Singapore: Research Publishing.
Pantidis, P., and S. Gerasimidis. 2018. “Progressive collapse of 3D steel composite buildings under interior gravity column loss.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 150: 60–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2018.08.003.
Qian, K., B. Li, and Z. Zhang. 2015. “Testing and simulation of 3D effects on progressive collapse resistance of RC buildings.” Mag. Concr. Res. 67 (4): 163–178. https://doi.org/10.1680/macr.14.00178.
Qiao, H., C. Luo, J. Wei, and Y. Chen. 2020. “Progressive collapse analysis for steel-braced frames considering Vierendeel action.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil. 134 (4): 04020069. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0001475.
Ren, L.-M., B. Yang, K. Chen, and Y.-J. Sun. 2020. “Progressive collapse of 3D composite floor systems with rigid connections under external column removal scenarios.” J. Struct. Eng. 146 (11): 04020244. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002805.
Sadek, F., J. A. Main, H. S. Lew, and Y. Bao. 2011. “Testing and analysis of steel and concrete beam-column assemblies under a column removal scenario.” J. Struct. Eng. 137 (9): 881–892. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000422.
Sagiroglu, S., and M. Sasani. 2014. “Progressive collapse-resisting mechanisms of reinforced concrete structures and effects of initial damage locations.” J. Struct. Eng. 140 (3): 04013073. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000854.
Stylianidis, P. 2011. “Progressive collapse response of steel and composite buildings.” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London.
Stylianidis, P., and D. Nethercot. 2017. “Considerations for robustness in the design of steel and composite frame structures.” Struct. Eng. Int. 27 (2): 263–280. https://doi.org/10.2749/101686617X14881932436212.
Stylianidis, P. M., and D. A. Nethercot. 2015. “Modelling of connection behaviour for progressive collapse analysis.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 113 (Oct): 169–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2015.06.008.
Stylianidis, P. M., D. A. Nethercot, B. A. Izzuddin, and A. Y. Elghazouli. 2015. “Modelling of beam response for progressive collapse analysis.” Structures 3 (Aug): 137–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2015.04.001.
Stylianidis, P. M., D. A. Nethercot, B. A. Izzuddin, and A. Y. Elghazouli. 2016a. “Robustness assessment of frame structures using simplified beam and grillage models.” Eng. Struct. 115 (May): 78–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.02.003.
Stylianidis, P. M., D. A. Nethercot, B. A. Izzuddin, and A. Y. Elghazouli. 2016b. “Study of the mechanics of progressive collapse with simplified beam models.” Eng. Struct. 117 (Jun): 287–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.02.056.
Yang, B., and K. H. Tan. 2012. “Numerical analyses of steel beam–column joints subjected to catenary action.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 70 (Mar): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2011.10.007.
Zhang, J.-Z., and G.-Q. Li. 2018. “Collapse resistance of steel beam-concrete slab composite substructures subjected to middle column loss.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 145 (Jun): 471–488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2018.03.002.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 22, 2021
Accepted: Jul 22, 2021
Published online: Aug 28, 2021
Published in print: Nov 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jan 28, 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.
Cited by
- Cosimo Pellecchia, Alessandro Cardoni, Gian Paolo Cimellaro, Marco Domaneschi, Farhad Ansari, Ahmed Amir Khalil, Progressive Collapse Analysis of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, Journal of Structural Engineering, 10.1061/JSENDH.STENG-12485, 150, 1, (2024).
- Simos Gerasimidis, Bruce Ellingwood, Twenty Years of Advances in Disproportionate Collapse Research and Best Practices since 9/11/2001, Journal of Structural Engineering, 10.1061/JSENDH.STENG-12056, 149, 2, (2023).
- Long Zheng, Wen-Da Wang, Wei Xian, Experimental and numerical investigation on the anti-progressive collapse performance of fabricated connection with CFST column and composite beam, Engineering Structures, 10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.114061, 256, (114061), (2022).