Experimental and computational assessment of robustness of steel and reinforced concrete framed buildings

Published

August 1, 2011

Author(s)

Joseph A. Main, Yihai Bao, Fahim Sadek, Hai S. Lew

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental and computational assessment of the performance of full-scale steel and reinforced concrete beam-column assemblies under vertical displacement of a center column, simulating a column removal scenario. The assemblies represent portions of structural framing systems designed as Intermediate Moment Frames (IMFs) for Seismic Design Category C, typical of the Atlanta, Georgia area. The steel assembly incorporates welded, unreinforced flange, bolted web connections and the concrete assembly was designed and detailed in accordance with ACI 318-02 requirements. Each assembly consists of two beam spans and three columns, and a downward vertical displacement of the center column is imposed until a failure mechanism is formed. The study provides insight into the behavior and failure modes of the assemblies, including the development of catenary action. Both detailed and reduced finite element models are developed to capture the primary response characteristics and failure modes. Analyses with the reduced models can be executed much more rapidly without loss of accuracy, facilitating implementation in models of entire structural systems.

Conference Dates

August 1-4, 2011

Conference Location

Zurich

Conference Title

11th International Conference on Applications of Statistics and Probability in Civil Engineering

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

Buildings, Concrete structures, Finite element method, Full-scale tests, Nonlinear analysis, Progressive collapse, Seismic design, Steel structures

Citation

Main, J. , Bao, Y. , Sadek, F. and Lew, H. (2011), Experimental and computational assessment of robustness of steel and reinforced concrete framed buildings, 11th International Conference on Applications of Statistics and Probability in Civil Engineering, Zurich, -1, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=907519 (Accessed October 10, 2025)