Progressive Collapse Analysis of RC Frames Subjected to Blast Loading

Abstract

AbstractProgressive collapse of a building can be triggered by damage to certain critical load-carrying elements immediately following a blast. The initial damage can be followed by a chain of events which progressively destabilize the building. The modelling of progressive collapse is very complex and must take into account the nature and extent of damage inflicted to the individual elements, the behaviour resulted from the damage and the structural interaction between the elements. Importantly, the chain of events to be modelled is dynamic in nature. This paper critically compares some analysis methods available for progressive collapse design from the very simple linear elastic static analysis to the most rigorous and time consuming nonlinear dynamic analysis which takes into accounts both the primary and secondary effects of the blast loading. Inelastic non-linear dynamic finite element analyses and computational fluid dynamics have been employed in the evaluation which revealed certain deficiencies with the simplified methods including the non-linear dynamic analysis method which does not take into account the direct impact of the blast loading.Key Words: Progressive collapseblast loadingnon-linear dynamic Additional informationNotes on contributors ElviraElvira is a lecturer at Tanjungpura University, Pontianak, Indonesia. He has a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from Tanjungpura University in 1992 and a Masters degree in Structural Engineering at Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia in 1996. Currently, he is a PhD student in Civil Engineering at the University of Melbourne. His research interests are progressive collapse on the concrete buildings, blast effects on structures and concrete material.Priyan MendisPriyan is an associate professor and reader at the University of Melbourne. He joined the University in 1991, after working as a Consulting Engineer at Connell Wagner Ltd. He is the Head of the Advanced Protective Technology Group at the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department. His main research and consulting interests are in design of structures for blast effects, bridges, tall buildings and ultra high-strength concrete. He has published more than 150 papers including 3 books.Priyan is also the Convener of the Research Network for a Secure Australia – RNSA (http://www.secureaustralia.org). The ARC Research Network for a Secure Australia (RNSA) is a multi-disciplinary collaboration established to strengthen Australia's research capacity for protecting critical infrastructure from natural or human-caused disasters including terrorist acts.Nelson LamNelson is an associate professor and reader at University of Melbourne. Prior to commencing his academic career at the University of Melbourne in 1989 he was with Scott Wilson consulting engineers throughout the 1980's. He has a Bachelors degree in civil engineering from Leeds University, a Master of Science degree from Imperial College of Science & Technology, University of London and a PhD degree from University of Melbourne. His research interests have been on earthquake engineering, the impact behaviour and collapse behaviour of structures. He has been regularly undertaking specialist consulting in these areas and was awarded with the Chapman Medal in 1999 by the Institution of Engineers Australia. His publications include invited journal articles with Journal of Advances in Structural Engineering, Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Technology, Progress in Structural Engineering and Materials and Journal of Engineering Structures. He is a member of the Australian Standard sub-committee responsible for revising the new earthquake loading standard for Australia.Tuan NgoTuan is a lecturer and research fellow at the University of Melbourne. He received his PhD and Masters in structural engineering from the University of Melbourne. His current research is in the area of blast and impact modeling, blast resistance of structures and building facades.