Numerical Analysis of Structural Progressive Collapse to Blast Loads

After the progressive collapse of Ronan Point apartment in UK in 1968, intensive research effort had been spent on developing guidelines for design of new or strengthening the existing structures to prevent progressive collapse. However, only very few building design codes provide some rather general guidance, no detailed design requirement is given. Progressive collapse of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building in Oklahoma City and the World Trade Centre (WTC) sparked again tremendous research interest on progressive collapse of structures. Recently, US Department of Defence (DoD) and US General Service Administration (GSA) issued guidelines for structure progressive collapse analysis. These two guidelines are most commonly used, but their accuracy is not known. This paper presents numerical analysis of progressive collapse of an example frame structure to blast loads. The DoD and GSA procedures are also used to analyse the same example structure. Numerical results are compared and discussed. The accuracy and the applicability of the two design guidelines are evaluated.

Methods for Progressive Collapse Analysis of Building Structures Under Blast and Impact Loads

Progressive collapse of building structures under blast and impact loads has attracted great attention all over the world. Progressive collapse analysis is essential for an economic and safe design of building structures against progressive collapse to blast and impact loads. Because of the catastrophic nature of progressive collapse and the potentially high cost of constructing or retrofitting buildings to resist it, it is imperative that the progressive collapse analysis methods be reliable. For engineers, their methodology to carry out progressive collapse evaluation need not only be accurate and concise, but also be easily used and works fast. Thus, many researchers have been spending lots of effort in developing reliable, efficient and straightforward progressive collapse analysis methods recently. In the present paper, current progressive collapse analysis methods available in the literature are reviewed. Their suitability, applicability and reliability are discussed. Our recent proposed new method for progressive collapse analysis of reinforced concrete frames under blast loads is also introduced.

Progressive Collapse of Steel Frames

This paper investigates the behavior of steel frames under progressive collapse using the finite element method. Non-linear finite element models have been developed and verified against existing data reported in the literature as well as against tests conducted by the authors. The nonlinear material properties of steel and nonlinear geometry were considered in the finite element models. The validated models were used to perform extensive parametric studies investigating different parameters affecting the behavior of steel frames under progressive collapse. The investigated parameters are comprised of different geometries, different number of stories and different dynamic conditions. The force redistribution and failure modes were evaluated from the finite element analyses, with detailed discussions presented.

Numerical Simulation for Progressive Collapse of Continuous Girder Bridge Subjected to Ship Impact

The three-stage simulation method based on LS-DYNA was introduced in this study to simulate the progressive collapse of a continuous girder bridge after a ship-bridge collision. The pile-soil dynamic interaction and the initial stress and deformation of the whole bridge before the collision were considered. By analyzing the damage, deformation, stress distribution and collapse process of the whole bridge, the results show that the displacement response of the cap beam lags behind the pile cap. The response order of the whole bridge's components depends on their distances from the collision region. The plastic deformation of soil around piles has a positive effect on delaying the further increase in the displacement of piles. The impacted pier's losing stability and its superstructure's excessive deformation are the main reasons leading to the progressive collapse of the continuous girder bridge.

Experimental Investigation of Progressive Collapse of Steel Frames

This paper reports two new tests conducted to augment available data highlighting the structural performance of multistory steel frames under progressive collapse. The investigated steel frames had different geometries, different boundary conditions, different collapse mechanisms, different damping ratios and different connections. Overall, the paper addresses how multistory frames would behave when subjected to local damage or loss of a main structural carrying element. The obtained results can form a data base for nonlinear finite element models. The deformations of the investigated steel frames and failure modes under progressive collapse were predicted from the finite element analysis, with detailed discussions presented.

Progressive collapse resisting capacity of reinforced concrete load bearing wall structures

Reinforced concrete(RC) load bearing wall is widely used in high-rise and mid-rise buildings. Due to the number of walls in plan and reduction in lateral force portion, this system is not only stronger against earthquakes, but also more economical. The effect of progressive collapse caused by removal of load bearing elements, in various positions in plan and stories of the RC load bearing wall system was evaluated by nonlinear dynamic and static analyses. For this purpose, three-dimensional model of 10-story structure was selected. The analysis results indicated stability, strength and stiffness of the RC load-bearing wall system against progressive collapse. It was observed that the most critical condition for removal of load bearing walls was the instantaneous removal of the surrounding walls located at the corners of the building where the sections of the load bearing elements were changed. In this case, the maximum vertical displacement was limited to 6.3 mm and the structure failed after applying the load of 10 times the axial load bored by removed elements. Comparison between the results of the nonlinear dynamic and static analyses demonstrated that the "load factor" parameter was a reasonable criterion to evaluate the progressive collapse potential of the structure.

Investigation Progressive Collapse Behaviour of Double Layer Barrel Vault Space Structures

Space double-layer grids are structures that are vulnerable facing progressive collapse phenomenon. So some methods should be studied for space double-layer grids that their collapse behaviors change from a brittle one into a soft and ductile. Within this study, than of these structures progressive collapse behavior has been studied. This study answers this question that to which members early to take collapse of double-layer space barrel vaults grids. This research can be identified with the critical members of the progressive failure and overall structural damage avoided.

Analysis of Steel Connections to Resist Progressive Collapse

This paper presented a methodology for the analysis and design of steel connections under a double-span connection within the context of preventing progressive collapse. First, various connection models were described and their pros and cons were provided. Then, the load-displacement characteristics of a component-based spring model were described. Thirdly, an experi-mental study on the behaviors of shear tab connections under tension was presented. The main sources of the deformation capacity of the shear tab connections were identified. Finally, a design example of a shear tab connection was provided to illustrate the methodology.

Progressive Collapse Analysis of an FPSO Vessel Hull Girder Under Vertical Bending Considering Different Corrosion Models

Nowadays,with the increasing operational life of ships,the aging effects on their structural behavior need to be investigated precisely.With the corrosive marine environment taken into consideration,one of the important effects of aging that must be studied is thickness degradation.In this paper,with the use of previously proposed equivalent thickness formulations for corroded plates,the progressive collapse analysis software HULLST is enhanced,and then,the effects of different corrosion models of uniform,random,pitting,and tanker pattern types on the ultimate and residual strengths of a floating production,storage,and offloading vessel hull girder are evaluated for the ages of 0 to 25 years.Results reveal that the uniform corrosion and random corrosion models have close outcomes.The value of relative reduction in the ultimate strength of ship hull girder(compared with the intact condition)ranges roughly from 6%for the age of 5 years to 17%for the age of 25 years in the hogging mode.The relative reduction in the ultimate strength ranges from 4%to 16%in the sagging mode.Pitting corrosion and tanker pattern(random)corrosion models lead to higher relative reductions in ultimate strength.The pitting corrosion model leads to a 16%–32%relative reduction in the ultimate strength for the ages of 5–25 years of the ship in either hogging or sagging.The tanker pattern(random)corrosion model leads to a 6%–37%relative reduction in the ultimate strength in the hogging mode and 3%–31%in the sagging mode at ship ages of 5 to 25 years.

Analysis of the Progressive Collapse of Buildings underHigh Temperatures Using Successive ApproximationTechnique

This paper presents an investigation of the disproportionate collapse of multi-store steel buildings in a natural fire situation due to the progressive failure of their columns.For this purpose,it is intended to evaluate the effects of the redistribution of stress and vertical displacements of columns with the evolution of the temperature addressing,also,the impacts of the localized faults of these structural elements.In addition,another objective of this paper is the development of a practical analysis approach,which is called by successive approximations.As a methodology,advanced computational techniques were developed to predict the structural behavior of the building as the temperature reduces the strength and stiffness of its structural elements.For the parametric study,the overall response of the building was investigated through fire simulations in many columns.The results showed that the phenomenon of redistribution of stresses that occur during the heating period is essentially due to the reduction in the modulus of elasticity of the steel.In addition,the study pointed out that the use of advanced computational techniques through the use of successive approximations technique is an excellent alternative to study the progressive collapse of buildings subject to high temperatures.

Nonlinear Analysis of Progressive Collapse of Reinforced Concrete(RC)Building by Different Kinds of Column Removal

Building collapse mostly can be caused by the loss of loading capacity in a primary structural component,resulting in the failure of surrounding elements,which in turn cause a failure propagation.Progressive collapses may be accidental,due to design deficiencies or errors,material failure or natural phenomenon(e.g.earthquakes)but it can be prevented by upgrade the concrete components’material[1,2].Well-engineered RC buildings generally have a good performance under normal loading conditions.However,faulty design,construction errors,material deterioration,and overloading are always occurred.When part of structure fails,the total load in the whole system will not disappear,which means the load will be redistributed unevenly to the adjacent part of structure.This phenomenon revealed that sustained high stresses in RC elements can lead to catastrophic collapse.Due to very few of papers did the research on the RC elements under high stress level sustained load,relevant experiments should be performed in this area.This paper gives the suggestions about how to apply the load in an experiment if researchers want to know the behavior of elements near to collapse especially focus on RC columns.

Progressive Collapse Resistance Analysis of Secondary Shielding Installation Platform for A-type Tank

As a key supporting equipment for the construction of LNG carriers,the installation platform undertakes the support and guarantee of LNG carrier tank internal construction.This paper takes the secondary shielding installation platform of A-type tank as the object of study,the study firstly considers the semi-rigidity of the nodes and the material nonlinearity based on finite element software,and then the residual structure is calculated using static nonlinear method after single truss,two trusses and three trusses are invalid simultaneously.The research results show that the truss with higher components importance coefficient has greater impact on the residual structure when the truss is invalid;After the 2 trusses of installation platform become invalid completely,the further progressive collapse will not occur;When A1-HJ,A2-HJ and A2-HJ are dismantled at the same time,it will lead to the local progressive damage,which can cause the collapse of large-scale structures.The research findings can support the design and use of the installation platform.

A Review on Progressive Collapse Designing Based on UFC Regulation

Progressive collapse is a relatively rare event which happens due to unusual loading on a structure that lacks adequate continuity,ductility and indeterminacy which causes local collapse in that structure and then extends it to other structural parts.The US department of defense published UFC4-023-03 regulation regarding the building design against progressive collapse.This regulation,based on the ASCE 7-05 standard,introduces two general approaches to building design against progressive collapse,including direct design and indirect design approaches.In this study,a variety of structural design methods for progressive collapse have been investigated.Moreover,their strengths and weaknesses have been mentioned.In general,the results of this study show that design based on alternative path(AP)method is more economical than other methods.Moreover,application of AP method is much more commonly accepted by researchers and designers.

Control of Progressive Collapse of the Structure Using Shear Wall

The vulnerability of reinforced concrete(RC)building systems to progres­sive collapse has turned out to be a challenging trouble for professional structural engineers so as to prevent total failure on account of nearby dam­age.The goal of this paper is to enhance the knowledge of such buildings’behavior underneath several scenarios of misplaced columns at different floor stages,and their capacity for progressive collapse.The homes had been analyzed following the guidelines for progressive collapse evalua­tion and design organized by means of the general services administration guidelines(GSA).The progressive collapse of a ten story structure sub­jected to a simplest gravity load is taken into consideration and the column has been eliminated at one place and the spread damage is evaluated.The progressive collapse study has been carried out by way of removing the column at a diagnosed crucial locations(at corner,middle and at interi­or)as in line with GSA guidelines.Static analysis is done using analysis program ETABS.For each case,the consequences were taken in terms of demand capacity ratio(DCR)at critical section,and as a result the structure has been assessed for it’s susceptible to progressive collapse.The availabil­ity of shear wall is made on the component wherein collapse occurred and DCR values are mentioned.After imparting the shear wall to the structure,the progressive collapse of the structure because of accidental load may be controlled in order that the GSA guidelines recommended DCR value would be within the range.

Numerical Simulation of Dynamic Response and Collapse for Steel Frame Structures Subjected to Blast Load

The progressive collapse of steel frame structures under the blast load was investigated using LS-DYNA. The multi-material Eulerian and Lagrangian coupling algorithm was adopted. A flu-id-structure coupling finite element model was established which consists of Lagrange element for simulating steel frame structures and concrete ground, multiple ALE element for simulating air and TNT explosive material. Numerical simulations of the blast pressure wave propagation, struc-tural dynamic responses and deformation, and progressive collapse of a five-story steel frame structure in the event of an explosion near above ground were performed. The numerical analysis showed that the Lagrangian and Eulerian coupling algorithm gave good simulations of the shock wave propagation in the mediums and blast load effects on the structure. The columns subjected to blast load may collapse by shear yielding rather than by flexural deformation. The columns and joints of steel beam to column in the front steel frame structure generated enormous plastic defor-mation subjected to intensive blast waves, and columns lost carrying capacity, subsequently lead-ing to the collapse of the whole structure. The approach coupling influence between struc-tural deformation and fluid load well simulated the progressive collapse process of structures, and provided an effective tool for analyzing the collapse mechanism of the steel frame structure under blast load.

A Contribution to Analysis of Collapse of High-Rise Building Inspired by the Collapses of WTC1 and WTC2: Derivation of Simple Formulas for Collapse Upper Speed and Acceleration

The paper is a contribution to the technical discussion concerning the collapses of the WTC buildings. It returns to the problem of the dynamics of the collapses;it does not concern the reason why the buildings started collapsing, but investigates the dynamics of the collapse itself. It works with the same assumptions as the official NIST report [1], i.e. that the falling mass hits the motionless mass beneath;the supporting columns loose stability and the mass of the pertinent floor starts to fall together with the falling mass. The aim was to derive the theoretical upper limit of the speed of the collapse, supposing that influence of the columns which resist the fall, is neglected. The differential equation of the fall was obtained using two independent laws of mechanics, with the identical result. Its solution can be found from a very simple explicit formula. The theoretical upper limit acceleration of the fall obtained by such formula is one third of the gravitational acceleration, which is faster than it was observed in the case of the collapses of WTC1 and WTC2. This leads to the conclusion that the mechanism of the collapse must be different from the assumed and the falling mass must not hit the motionless mass bellow it, but rather a mass which had started to fall before the impact of the falling mass occurred.

西安城市展示中心长悬挑、大跨度钢结构设计

西安城市展示中心由南馆、北馆和连桥组成,其中南馆悬挑长度62m,连桥跨度150m。结合建筑方案特点,南馆与连桥采用整层钢桁架结构体系,结构布置与建筑形态高度契合。介绍了南馆、连桥、穹顶、屋面等位置的结构布置情况,明确了超限项和抗震性能目标,对于多杆件复杂交汇钢节点进行有限元分析。针对南馆、连桥屋楼盖振动舒适度不足,设计布置了调谐质量阻尼器(TMD),实测减振效果显著。对连桥提升过程进行施工模拟,结果表明该过程增加了连桥挠度,需要考虑提前起拱。对超长连体结构温度和地震行波效应进行分析,根据结果对连桥楼板配筋和局部框架柱进行了加强。大震弹塑性分析与防连续倒塌分析结果表明,结构满足“大震不倒”的性能目标,结构冗余度较高,具有良好的防连续倒塌能力。

三星堆古蜀文化遗址博物馆大型螺旋坡道结构设计与分析

三星堆古蜀文化遗址博物馆中庭的螺旋坡道采用钢箱梁结构体系,最大半径28.7m,水平投影长度118.5m。介绍了大型螺旋坡道结构体系选型和边界条件的对比过程,采用通用计算软件MIDAS Gen建立多尺度整体模型考虑螺旋坡道和主体结构的相互作用,通过静力分析和反应谱分析考察螺旋坡道在不同荷载作用下的承载能力和变形,并采用有限元软件ANSYS建立分析模型进行连续倒塌分析。结果表明,螺旋坡道采用钢箱梁结构具有较好的整体刚度,静力荷载和地震作用下坡道的应力和变形均满足规范要求,并具有较好的抗连续倒塌能力。

钢筋混凝土连续梁抗连续倒塌压拱机制的数值分析

为了验证既有结构抗连续倒塌压拱(compressive arch action,CAA)机制理论在工程尺度中的适用性问题,基于有限元分析软件LS-DYNA建立了钢筋混凝土连续梁的全精细数值模型,并通过已有实验验证了该模型的可靠性。基于该模型建立9个足尺结构的数值模型,考虑了工程常用的截面高度、跨度和配筋率。基于数值模拟的结果,分析了上述结构参数对CAA机制发展的影响。结果表明:随着配筋率的增大,CAA机制对结构抗连续倒塌的增强作用逐渐降低;在9~12的跨高比范围内,CAA机制对结构抗连续倒塌的增强作用提升,而在12~15的跨高比范围内,增强作用降低。

局部超挖或超载作用下桩锚支护基坑连续垮塌试验研究

超挖或超载导致的基坑垮塌事故时有发生,然而局部超挖超载情况下基坑连续垮塌的全过程演化机理仍缺乏深入研究,限制了对此类基坑事故的针对性预防和控制。依托两起基坑垮塌案例,设计了桩锚支护基坑连续破坏模型试验,研究了局部超挖或超载对单道锚杆支护结构变形、土压力、锚杆轴力、支护桩及冠梁内力等的影响。结果表明,基坑局部超挖后,基坑外产生的土拱效应和冠梁荷载传递效应将导致邻近区域支护桩和锚杆内力大幅上升,此情况下超挖区内锚杆局部失效将进一步加剧这两个效应,引发邻近未失效锚杆连续破坏。支护桩嵌固深度较小时,锚杆失效后桩身弯矩始终减小,最终由于桩顶缺少约束而发生倾覆破坏;相反,当嵌固深度较大时,被动区土体对支护桩约束作用较强,最终支护桩的弯矩绝对值将显著提高,更可能发生弯曲破坏导致基坑垮塌。基坑正常开挖深度越大,超挖及锚杆失效产生的土拱效应越强,触发锚杆连续破坏所需的初始破坏锚杆越少,抗连续破坏能力越弱,应考虑局部加强锚杆,将局部破坏限制在一定范围。基坑顶部超载量过大将导致锚杆自超载范围中心向远端依次失效,进而引发基坑垮塌。锚杆设置高度不同,触发锚杆连续破坏的超载量不同,连续破坏路径和为应对潜在的超载风险需重点验算的构件也可能不同。锚杆设置在腰梁上时,超载情况下,锚杆的荷载传递系数大于支护桩,需优先考虑对锚杆进行局部加强设计;锚杆设置冠梁上时,触发锚杆连续破坏所需的超载量较腰梁工况更大,超载情况下,支护桩的荷载传递系数大于锚杆,应优先对支护桩考虑附加荷载作用进行设计。