Analytical and experimental evaluation of progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete structures

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20002914

Experimental and analytical studies are carried out on three full-scale actual reinforced concrete (RC) buildings to characterize system level resisting mechanisms against progressive collapse following an initial local damage. The results obtained from the analytical models are verified with the experimental data and important modeling issues, assumptions, and requirements for structural elements as well as infill walls are identified and discussed. In order to evaluate the effects of initial damage location on progressive collapse of structures, a seven-story RC building structure is designed. Using an analytical model of the structure based on the knowledge gained in this study, the structure is analyzed under 15 different initial damage scenarios.