Nonlinear Dynamic Response of a Precast Concrete Building to Sudden Column Removal

Robustness of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is an ongoing challenging research topic in the engineering community. During extreme event, loss vertical load-bearing elements can activate large-deformation resisting mechanisms such as membrane and catenary actions beams floor slabs cast-in-situ RC buildings to resist gravity loads. However, few studies have been conducted for precast (PC) buildings, especially focused on capacity withstand column scenarios, which mainly relies connection strength. Additional resistance resource alternate load paths could be reached via tying systems. In this paper, progressive collapse a PC frame building analyzed by means nonlinear dynamic finite element analyses focusing fundamental roles played beam-to-column strength reinforcement. A simplified modelling approach illustrated order investigate response structural typology number sudden column-removal scenarios. The relative simplicity technique considered useful practice, providing new input further field.