FE modelling progressive collapse assessment of steel moment frames-parametric study

ABSTRACT Progressive collapse is the failure of primary structural components produced by natural or abnormal events that may result in a total or partial collapse of the structure. In this paper, several structure models, under different column removal scenarios, were modeled and analyzed using the FE program SAP2000 to evaluate the effect of span length, the strength of structural members, and cross-section on the steel building’s resistance against progressive collapse. The Alternative Load Path method was carried out using the linear static and nonlinear dynamic analysis following the GSA 2003 guidelines for this investigation. The material and the geometric nonlinearities must be considered in the nonlinear dynamic analysis. The contribution of span length, steel grade, and cross-section to the response of the structural system was studied through the Demand Capacity Ratio for the linear static analysis. The variation of several parameters, such as bending moments, plastic hinges status and their rotations, displacements, and ductility, was discussed based on the response of the nonlinear dynamic analysis. The main objective of this study is to demonstrate the impact of the latter parameters on the structural enhancement and the reduction of the damage level triggered by the failure of a primary structural component.