Progressive Collapse and Structural Robustness of Bridges

Structural robustness has been recognized as a fundamental property of structural systems to prevent the occurrence of disproportionate failure events and progressive collapse. Bridges are primarily horizontally aligned structures with one main axis of extension. Only a few of many modern building codes provided methods can be applied to bridges. In this paper, associated strategies to enhance collapse resistance can be addressed by controlling abnormal events, individual local element behavior and global system behavior. Various design methods towards preventing progressive collapse such as non-structural protective measures, local resistance, multiple load paths or structural segmentation are applied to bridges. The suitability depends on the type of bridge structures.

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CASCO: a simulator of load paths in 2D frames during progressive collapse

SN Applied Sciences ◽

10.1007/s42452-020-03201-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (9) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Enrico Masoero

Keyword(s):

Progressive Collapse ◽

Structural Topology ◽

Matlab Simulation ◽

Concrete Frames ◽

Dynamic Simulations ◽

New Approach ◽

Load Paths ◽

Collapse Resistance ◽

Simplifying Assumptions ◽

Damage Tolerant

Abstract Modern structural design software can simulate complex collapse dynamics, but the main physical processes driving collapse propagation are often hidden among structure-specific details. As a result, it is still unclear which structural geometries and material properties should be preferred when approaching the design of a damage-tolerant structure. This manuscript presents a new approach to explore the relationships between structural geometry, local mechanical properties, and collapse propagation. The insight comes from a unique ability to trace the evolution of load paths during collapse, achieved by combining energy conservation with local mechanisms of plastic failure and a few simplifying assumptions. The method is implemented in a new simulator of collapse of 2D frames, called CASCO and programmed in MATLAB. Simulation results for reinforced concrete frames predict collapse loads and mechanisms in agreement with fully non-linear, dynamic simulations, while also providing a graphical description of the evolving structural topology during collapse. A first application of CASCO to mechanically homogeneous and heterogeneous frames, indicates certain evolutions in number and density of load paths during collapse that may be targetted to improve collapse resistance.

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Basic Principal and Design Methodology of Progressive Storey Collapse Resistance in a New Type RC Twin-Frame Structure

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.368-373.946 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 368-373 ◽

pp. 946-952

Author(s):

Hao Hua Jia ◽

De Min Wei

Keyword(s):

Progressive Collapse ◽

Earthquake Hazard ◽

Frame Structure ◽

Structure System ◽

Weak Layer ◽

Load Paths ◽

Collapse Resistance ◽

Normal Frame ◽

New Type ◽

Two Stages

According to earthquake hazard, normal frame structures could hardly avoid failure of ‘Strong Beam and Weak Column’, weak layer and even progressive storey collapse under strong earthquakes, a main reason is the lack of second seismic fortification line in frame structure. Based on the design thought of multiple seismic fortification lines, reinforced concrete twin-frame structure is initiated in this paper. Major feature is increases of redundant constraints and load paths due to added outer limb-columns could take effect as the second seismic fortification line. Twin-frame structure could not only fulfill the demand of ‘three levels, two stages’ in seismic code, but also have been designed through the third stage of ‘resist progressive collapse’, using key member method to promote safety storage and deformability of outer limb-columns, using removal key member method to verify vertical ultimate load of frame beams in weak layer. Though twin-frame structure could not completely avoid plastic hinges in column ends, progressive storey collapse will not appear in this kind of structure. Twin-frame structure is a new structure system which could be applied in constituting new projects as well as strengthening and rebuilding existing projects, further research can be done on this structure system.

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A novel kinked rebar configuration for simultaneously improving the seismic performance and progressive collapse resistance of RC frame structures

Engineering Structures ◽

10.1016/j.engstruct.2017.06.042 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 147 ◽

pp. 752-767 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Peng Feng ◽

Hanlin Qiang ◽

Weihong Qin ◽

Meng Gao

Keyword(s):

Seismic Performance ◽

Progressive Collapse ◽

Frame Structures ◽

Rc Frame ◽

Collapse Resistance ◽

Rc Frame Structures

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Study on progressive collapse resistance of single-layer reticulated shells

Journal of Physics Conference Series ◽

10.1088/1742-6596/1777/1/012037 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1777 (1) ◽

pp. 012037

Author(s):

R Han ◽

T Y Yin ◽

X D Yang ◽

Y Zhang ◽

Y S Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Progressive Collapse ◽

Single Layer ◽

Collapse Resistance

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Progressive collapse resistance of framed buildings with partially encased composite beams

Journal of Building Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102228 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 102228

Author(s):

Gianrocco Mucedero ◽

Emanuele Brunesi ◽

Fulvio Parisi

Keyword(s):

Progressive Collapse ◽

Composite Beams ◽

Collapse Resistance

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Analysis of the robustness of a steel frame structure with composite floors subject to multiple fire scenarios

Advances in Structural Engineering ◽

10.1177/1369433221992494 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136943322199249

Author(s):

Riza Suwondo ◽

Lee Cunningham ◽

Martin Gillie ◽

Colin Bailey

Keyword(s):

Progressive Collapse ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Steel Structure ◽

Frame Structure ◽

Worst Case ◽

Collapse Resistance ◽

Fire Scenarios ◽

Element Approach ◽

The One ◽

Steel Frame Structure

This study presents robustness analyses of a three-dimensional multi-storey composite steel structure under the action of multiple fire scenarios. The main objective of the work is to improve current understanding of the collapse resistance of this type of building under different fire situations. A finite element approach was adopted with the model being firstly validated against previous studies available in the literature. The modelling approach was then used to investigate the collapse resistance of the structure for the various fire scenarios examined. Different sizes of fire compartment are considered in this study, starting from one bay, three bays and lastly the whole ground floor as the fire compartment. The investigation allows a fundamental understanding of load redistribution paths and member interactions when local failure occurs. It is concluded that the robustness of the focussed building in a fire is considerably affected by the size of fire compartments as well as fire location. The subject building can resist progressive collapse when the fire occurs only in the one-bay compartment. On the other hand, total collapse occurs when fire is located in the edge three-bay case. This shows that more than one fire scenario needs to be taken into consideration to ensure that a structure of this type can survive from collapse in the worst-case situation.

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