International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering

Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 9, September 2014)

Progressive Collapse Analysis of RC Buildings Using Non-

Linear Static and Non-Linear Dynamic Method
Bhavik R. Patel
M.Tech (Civil-Structural Design), Faculty of Technology, CEPT University
Abstract— To study the effect of failure of load carrying II. BUILDING CONFIGURATION
elements i.e. columns on the entire structure; 15 storey
moment resistant RC buildings is considered. The buildings
To study the effect of column removal condition on the
are modeled and analyzed for progressive collapse using the structure, hypothetical case of 15 storey RC building is
structural analysis and design software SAP2000. To considered. Progressive collapse analysis is based on the
understand the progressive collapse phenomena Non-linear GSA guidelines. Structure considered in this analysis is
static analysis and Non-linear dynamic analysis is performed assumed to be a residential building, which is designed for
for 15-storey RC building. Displacement and support an importance factor 1 (IS code 1893-2002). Bay size is
rotations are found out using nonlinear static and dynamic taken as 6m in one direction and 4m in other direction.
analysis procedures. The nonlinear dynamic procedure for Building size in plan is 30m x 24m. Height of base to plinth
progressive collapse analysis is the most efficient method of
is taken as 2m, Plinth to ground floor as 4 m, which is
analysis in which a primary load-bearing structural element is
removed dynamically and the structural material is allowed to
considered as hollow plinth and height of typical floor as
undergo nonlinear behaviour. 3.5m. 230mm thick walls are assumed to be on all beams
Figure 1 and 2 shows typical floor plan and 3D view of
Keywords—Progressive collapse, RC Building, Non-Linear regular building.
Static, Dynamic, Design Software SAP2000 An easy way to comply with the conference paper
formatting requirements is to use this document as a
I. INTRODUCTION template and simply type your text into it.
Nonlinear analysis is widely used to understand the
behaviour of structure after its elastic limit. In this analysis
method, structural elements are pushed to deform beyond
their elastic limit and hence it undergoes inelastic
behaviour. Nonlinear static analysis is also known as
vertical pushover analysis. Pushover analysis is mainly
deformation controlled and force controlled. Deformation
controlled method is generally used for lateral pushover
analysis where, earthquake or wind load governs. In this
method structure is pushed to undergo maximum
permissible deformation under lateral load and at that time,
maximum attained load is measured, while in force
controlled method load is applied step by step until
maximum load is attained or structure collapses. At that
time, maximum deformation is measured. In Non-linear
analysis, the elements affected due to column removal are Fig. 1 Typical Floor Plan of Regular Building
generally located in or nearby bay of column removal
location i.e. elements far from initiating damage may not be
affected hence may not yield, This can be visualized from
hinge formation in the building. In Non-linear analysis,
results are observed in the form of hinge formation, force-
deformation characteristics and collapse load. This method
is widely used for detailed investigation.

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 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 9, September 2014)
Step 6: Graph of vertical displacement vs percentage load
carried is plotted for all column removal cases. Percentage
load is found from total vertical reactions at the supports
for each analysis step and total load applied.
Load case defined for static nonlinear analysis is same as
static linear analysis, which is 2 (DL + 0.25 LL),
Where DL = Dead Load and LL = Live Load.
Verification of nonlinear analysis is a somewhat
complicated process and highly dependent on analysis
parameters (such as load step, tolerance and integration
methods), and it may involve several computer analysis
reruns. Fig.3 shows the nonlinear static analysis case
definition as per GSA guideline.

Fig. 2 3D view of Regular building

III. PROGRESSIVE COLLAPSE ANALYSIS

Progressive collapse analysis is performed by instantly
removing one or several columns and analyzing the
building’s remaining capability to absorb the damage. The
key issue in progressive collapse is in understanding that it
is a dynamic event, and that the motion is initiated by a
release of internal energy due to the instantaneous loss of a
structural member. This member loss disturbs the initial
load equilibrium of external loads and internal forces, and
the structure then vibrates until a new equilibrium position
is found or until the structure collapses. Column removal
case for progressive collapse analysis is consider as column Fig. 3 Nonlinear static analysis (As per GSA guidelines)
(C – 1D) (As marked in figure - red circle) SAP2000 For nonlinear analysis automatic hinge properties are
software is used to understand the behaviour of structure assigned to a frame element. For default moment hinges,
under different “failed column” scenarios. SAP2000 uses Tables 5-6 of FEMA-356. For each degree
A. Non-Linear Static Analysis of freedom, there is a force-displacement (moment-
rotation) curve that gives the yield value and the plastic
GSA guideline has provided following stepwise
deformation following yield. This is done in terms of a
procedure to carry out Non-linear static analysis.
curve with values at five points, A-B-C-D-E, as shown in
Step 1: Prepare three dimensional model in computer. Fig.4. Point A is always origin. B represents yielding, Point
Perform concrete design and determine the reinforcement C represents the ultimate capacity for pushover analysis.
to be provided in members. Point D represents a residual strength. Point E represents
Step 2: Define and assign plastic hinges to beams and total failure. There are additional deformation measures at
columns. points IO (immediate occupancy), LS (Life safety), and CP
Step 3: Define the load combination as per GSA and define (Collapse prevention). These are informational measures.
non-linear case. FEMA defines permissible values for plastic rotation of
hinges at each stage i.e. IO, LS and CP. M3 and V2 hinges
Step 4: Remove the column and perform the static are assigned to beams at both the ends. P-M2-M3 hinges
nonlinear analysis. are assigned to columns at both the ends.
Step 5: Observe the hinge formation pattern for failure.
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 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 9, September 2014)
Step 6: After equilibrium is reached for the structure,
remove the column by ramping down the column forces
under a duration for removal of not more than one tenth of
the period associated with the structural response mode for
the element removal.
Step 7: The analysis shall continue until the maximum
displacement is reached or one cycle of vertical motion
occurs at the column or wall section removal location.
Initial case for Non-Linear dynamic analysis has been
defined in SAP2000 for GSA is shown in Fig.5 and Non-
linear dynamic analysis case for column removal has been
Fig. 4 Force-displacement (moment-rotation) curve defined in SAP2000 is shown in Fig.6.
After nonlinear static analysis, plastic hinge rotation is
found out at the collapse state and compared with the
permissible value of plastic hinge rotation. The graph of
vertical deflection Vs percentage of load is plotted for all
the column removal cases. Percentage of load is found by
summation of the reactions obtained at the supports for
each analysis step divided by total load applied.
B. Non-Linear Dynamic Analysis
This allows larger deformations and energy dissipation
through material yielding, cracking, and fracture. Nonlinear
dynamic analysis is performed similarly to linear dynamic
analysis procedure with the exception that in this case the
structural elements are allowed to enter in their inelastic
range. Following stepwise procedure to carry out Non-
linear static analysis in SAP2000.
Step 1: Build a computer model.
Step 2: The nonlinear dynamic procedure requires several Fig. 5 Initial analysis case definition as per GSA guideline
analysis cases for each column removal. Analysis cases are
created in order to determine the forces present at
equilibrium in each column to be removed.
Step 3: For each column removal, the column member is
deleted in the structural model and the internal forces
determined from the equilibrium model are applied to the
structure as a load case to the joint or joints at each column
end. These static nonlinear analysis cases are used as the
starting conditions for the column removals.
Step 4: Within these analysis cases assign all loads to be
used in this analysis case as per the load combinations
DL+0.25LL defined in GSA guidelines.
Step 5: Click Nonlinear parameters button and choose P-
delta option. It is possible to use P delta + large
displacements, but it is not necessarily needed for this
analysis.

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 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 9, September 2014)

Fig. 6 Non-linear dynamic analysis case definition for column removal

C. Calculation of Percentage of Load taken by Structure

Local damage scenario is created by removing the
external long bay column C - 1D and Non Linear Static
Analysis and Non-Linear Dynamic Analysis are performed. Fig. 8 BM and SF Diagram after Column Removal Condition
Fig. 7 shows the bending moment and shear force diagram
The formation of hinges along the height in longitudinal
of before column removal condition and Fig.8 shows the
and transverse direction frame is shown in following
bending moment and shear force diagram of after column
figures.
removal condition for static Non-linear analysis. Likewise
we can conduct the different column removal condition.

Formation of Hinges Long bay Formation of Hinges Transvers bay

Fig. 7 BM and SF Diagram before Column Removal Condition Fig. 9 Hinges Formation for Non-Linear Static Analysis

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 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 4, Issue 9, September 2014)
Formation of Hinges Long bay Formation of Hinges Transvers bay
Fig. 10 Hinges Formation for Non-Linear Dynamic Analysis
Fig. 11- % GSA Load attempt in Non-Linear Static and Dynamic
Analysis (Column Removal Case)
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
In this paper nonlinear static (vertical pushover analysis)
and nonlinear dynamic analysis is carried out for 15-storey
RC buildings for external long bay column removal case as
per GSA guidelines. Nonlinear static analysis is carried out
to understand the hinge formations at yield and at collapse.
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It also helps to understand the moment redistribution.
Nonlinear static analysis gives maximum collapse load for
all the column removal cases. Since the GSA guideline
mandated load combination includes a factor of 2 and
100% of the total load should be attainable through analysis
but vertical pushover analysis indicates, 100% of vertical
load is not attained at the time of collapse in the column
removal case. Plastic hinge rotations are also found out at
collapse load to see the state of hinges i.e. IO, LS, CP etc.
When the hinges go beyond the CP state, hinges are
considered to be collapsed. Plastic hinge rotations beyond
CP state is 0.025 radians. So when the plastic hinge
rotations are more than 0.025 radians for any member, it is
considered as collapsed.
In Non-linear Static analysis it has been observed that in
column removal the structure attempt more than 50% of
GSA loading, and 50% is inverse of load amplification
factor of 2, so we do not believe that the structure actually
would be susceptible for progressive collapse, it should be
confirmed by the nonlinear dynamic analysis. Which is also
discussed in this paper. Nonlinear dynamic analysis is also
carried out for the column removal case using GSA
guidelines. And it shows with column removal cases
structure attempt full GSA loading. So from nonlinear
dynamic analysis it can be concluded that building is
having low potential for progressive collapse.
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