Performance of precast concrete moment frames subject to column removal: II. Computational Analysis

Published

September 1, 2020

Author(s)

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

Abstract

This paper presents a computational study of two precast concrete moment-frame assemblies, each comprising three columns and two beams, subjected to displacement-controlled vertical loading of the unsupported center column to simulate a column removal scenario. One assembly was part of an ordinary moment frame, and the other was part of a special moment frame. Finite element models of each assembly were developed to: (1) capture the experimentally observed behaviors and failure modes, (2) provide additional insights into behaviors and failure modes that could not be directly observed from the experimental data, including the sensitivity of the responses to variations in key factors, and (3) evaluate the structural robustness of the two assemblies by comparing their ultimate capacities with the applicable gravity loading, including the dynamic effects associated with sudden column loss. While the span length of the test specimens was reduced to fit within the testing facility, the influence of span length was investigated using computational modeling, and models with the full prototype span length were used in the evaluation of structural robustness.

Citation

PCI Journal

Volume

62

Issue

5

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

Buildings, finite element model, disproportionate collapse, moment resisting connections, structural robustness

Citation

Bao, Y. , Main, J. , Lew, H. and Sadek, F. (2020), Performance of precast concrete moment frames subject to column removal: II. Computational Analysis, PCI Journal (Accessed April 25, 2024)