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

Abstract: Preventing progressive collapse in structures is a gravely important problem for society, particularly in light of recent terror attacks.This project carries out a research and education plan for analysis of progressive collapse of structures. Progressive collapse is a system-level phenomenon where the spread of an initial local failure results in the collapse of an entire structure or a disproportionately large part of it. Recent terror attacks demonstrated that most casualties are due to building collapse rather than the initial explosion or impact. Reliable progressive collapse analysis requires knowledge of system-level behavior, but there is very little actual data because system-level tests are prohibitively expensive. Utilizing an innovative and low-cost method to collect, use, and analyze field data, a field experiment is carried out in which a column was exploded in a full scale flat-slab structure slated for demolition by implosion. Advanced modeling and numerical simulation is conducted for structures susceptible to punching shear failure, following loss of a column. Development of an analytical model for pre- and post-punching shear analysis is underway to develop fundamental system-level understating of collapse resisting mechanisms in flat slab structures. This project started in the 2nd year of ALERT funding.

Faculty and Staff Currently Involved in Project:

Mehrdad Sasani
Associate Professor
Northeastern University

Students Currently Involved in Project:

Yaser Mirzaei, Post-Doc
Northeastern University