Progress collapse resistance analysis of RC frames

Certain unforeseen events, such as gas explosions, severe fires or blast impact, may cause severe localized damage to a key structural element, eventually resulting in the partial or total collapse of the structure. This phenomenon is called a progressive collapse. One crucial structural element that is most susceptible to progressive collapse when damaged is the column. In this project, the focus is on studying the various alternate load path mechanisms for the redistribution of gravity loads after the loss of a middle column. To investigate the development of alternate load paths, a total of three specimens were tested to failure under quasi-static loading conditions. These three specimens had different boundary conditions in terms of varying degrees of horizontal restraint. The experimental test results are presented at the structural level, cross-sectional level and at the fibre level. The experimental results of the three specimens were also compared with one another to investigate the effects of horizontal restraint on the development of alternate load paths. Since progressive collapse is a dynamic, non-linear event, the quasi-static response based on the experimental results was then converted to pseudo-static response based on the method of energy approach by Izzuddin. The pseudo-static response is more representative of the actual behaviour of the structure under the loss of a middle column.Bachelor of Engineering (Civil