Modeling of Reinforced Concrete Assemblies under a Column Removal Scenario

Published

November 8, 2012

Author(s)

Yihai Bao, Hai S. Lew, Sashi K. Kunnath

Abstract

This paper presents a computational investigation of two reinforced concrete beam-column assemblies, each comprising three columns and two beams, subjected to monotonically increasing vertical displacement of the unsupported center column simulating a column removal scenario. One assembly was part of an intermediate moment frame and the other part of a special moment frame. Two types of models were developed: (1) detailed models with highly refined solid and beam elements to represent the nonlinear material behavior of concrete and reinforcement, and (2) reduced-order models with significantly fewer beam and spring elements to represent the nonlinear behavior of structural components. Reduced models are desirable for analysis of complete 3D structural systems. Modeling approaches for the detailed and reduced models are described, and the computational results are compared with experimental data from full-scale tests. Good agreement is observed, which demonstrates the capability of the detailed and reduced models to capture the primary response characteristics and failure modes, including the successive development of compressive arching action and catenary action in the beams and the fracture of reinforcing bars at the beam-column interface.

Citation

Journal of Structural Engineering-ASCE

Pub Type

Journals

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DOI Link

Keywords

Reinforced concrete structures, Finite element method, Nonlinear analysis, Disproportionate collapse, Seismic design, Catenary action, Compressive arching action.

Citation

Bao, Y. , Lew, H. and Kunnath, S. (2012), Modeling of Reinforced Concrete Assemblies under a Column Removal Scenario, Journal of Structural Engineering-ASCE, [online], https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000773 (Accessed October 2, 2025)