Development limitations of compressive arch and catenary actions in reinforced concrete special moment resisting frames under column-loss scenarios

Abstract

The progressive collapse of structures, and reinforced concrete (RC) in particular, has recently been the focus of practicing structural engineers. This paper aims to study numerically the limitations for the development of compressive arch and catenary actions in RC special moment resisting frames (SMRFs) when exposed to abrupt column-loss scenarios due to the risk of accidental events such as blast attacks. A finite element (FE) model that incorporates nonlinear materials behavior, bond-slip behavior at the concrete-to-steel rebar interface, and strain rate effect was prepared to study the behavior of RC frame assemblies under column-removal scenarios. The FE model was calibrated against a..