Computational Study on the Progressive Collapse of Precast Reinforced Concrete Structures

Abstract

[EN] Although recent years have been marked by a substantial research effort on the progressive collapse of frame structures, precast reinforced concrete (RC) structures have been the subject of fewer studies when compared to cast-in-place RC or steel ones. Given that precast RC is being increasingly used and that it can be particularly vulnerable under accidental loading conditions, a better understanding of how secondary resisting mechanisms can be activated in such structural systems is a necessary requirement towards building more robust structures in the future. This paper presents computational simulations of a two-floor precast RC frame structure used to predict and extrapolate results from an ambitious experimental campaign involving the sudden removal of edge and corner columns from a purposely built real-scale building.