Science of Progressive Collapse Resistance of Reinforced Concrete Structures
F4-K

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The Murrah Federal Building (MFB) was the target of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995. The progressive collapse of the MFB has not been studied quantitatively at the system level. Primary structural collapse resisting mechanisms, including Virendeel frame action and axial force-bending moment interaction due to beam growth, which were not considered in the previous studies, are ac­counted for and evaluated quantitatively in this study. The effects of bond-slip (bar pullout) on the building’s collapse resistance are also included. The amount of resultant upward pressure required for punching failure is compared to that for the transverse T-beam and slab failures. The possibility of the third floor transfer girder torsional failure following the slab punching shear as suggested in previous studies is also evaluated.

The progressive collapse of the MFB has not been studied quantitatively at the system level. Primary structural collapse resisting mechanisms, including Virendeel frame action and axial force-bending moment interaction due to beam growth, which were not considered in the previous studies, are accounted for and evaluated quantitatively in this study.
F4-K Abstract: ALERT Year 4 Annual Report
Project Leader

  • Mehrdad Sasani
    Associate Professor
    Northeastern University
    Email

Students Currently Involved in Project
  • Ali Kazemi
    Northeastern University