A Plastic Design Method for RC Moment Frame Buildings against Progressive Collapse

In this study, progressive collapse potential of ge neric 3-, 8and 12-storey RC moment frame building s designed based on IBC-2006 code was investigated by performing non -linear static and dynamic analyses. It was observe d that the model structures had high potential for progressive collapse when the second floor column was suddenly removed. Then, the size of beams required to satisfy the fai lure criteria for progressive collapse was obtained by using the virtual work method; i.e., using the equilibrium of the ext ernal work done by gravity load due to loss of a co lumn and the internal work done by plastic rotation of beams. Ac cording to the nonlinear dynamic analysis results, the model structures designed only for normal load turned out t have strong potential for progressive collapse whereas the structures designed by plastic design concept for p r gressive collapse satisfied the failure criterion recommended by the GSA code.