International Journal of Innovative Research in Advanced Engineering (IJIRAE)

Issue 12, Volume 2 (December 2015)

ISSN: 2349-2763
www.ijirae.com

PROGRESSIVE COLLAPSE ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED

CONCRETE SYMMETRICAL AND UNSYMMETRICAL
FRAMED STRUCTURES BY ETABS
Ram Shankar Singh1,
1

P.G. student of structural engineering,

Department of Civil Engineering,
Integral University, Lucknow.

Yusuf Jamal2
2

Civil Engineering Department,

Integral University,
Lucknow.

Meraj A. Khan3
3

Former Head
Department of Civil Engineering,
Integral University, Lucknow.

Abstract:- Progressive collapse is a chain reaction of failures that propagates either throughout or a portion of the
structure disproportionate to the original local failure. The progressive collapse of building structure is initiated when
one or more vertical load carrying members are removed. Once a column is removed or made weak, due to man-made or
natural hazards, load carried by column removed is transferred to neighboring columns in the structure, if the
neighboring column is incapable of withstanding the extra load, leads to the progressive failure of adjoining members and
finally to the failure of partial or whole structure. The collapsing system continually seeks alternative load paths in order
to survive. One of the important characteristics of progressive collapse is that the final damage is not proportional to
the initial damage. The research material available for progressive collapse failure of structures suggests that
buildings designed to resist seismic actions have good robustness against progressive collapse. However, no detailed
investigations have been conducted so far to assess this robustness. Hence this study is made to examine the potential
ability of seismically designed building against progressive collapse. A Five storey reinforced concrete framed
structure symmetrical and Unsymmetrical was considered in the study to evaluate the Demand Capacity Ratio
(D.C.R.), the ratio of the member force and the member strength as per U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
guidelines. The Linear static analysis is carried out using software, ETABS V 9.7 according to Indian Standard codes.
Analysis and design is carried out to get the final output of design details. To study the collapse, typical columns are
removed one at a time, and continued with analysis and design. Many such columns are removed in different trials to
know the effects of progressive analysis. Member forces and reinforcement details are calculated. From the analysis,
DCR values of beams are calculated.
Keywords:- Progressive Collapse Analysis, U.S. General Service Administration (GSA) Guidelines, Removal of Columns,
Special Moment resisting frames, Demand Capacity Ratio (DCR), Potential ,Linear Static Analysis, ETABS V 9.7 .
I. INTRODUCTION
Buildings are structurally designed to support anticipated loads adequately and safely in addition to fulfil clients needs
which include functional and aesthetic requirements. However, since the partial progressive collapse of the 22-storey
Ronan Point apartment building in 1968 which was triggered by a gas explosion, an obvious attention in civil engineering
community had been provoked to consider unanticipated loading events. Nevertheless, the ordinary designs do not
normally account for the extreme loading events that may cause progressive collapse. Recently, progressive collapse of
buildings became one of civil engineering significant issues after the progressive collapse of the World Trade Center in
2001. Inherently progressive collapse is different from other collapses that may happen to structures and buildings in
which it is disproportionate to the collapsing event.

Figure 1.1 Partial collapse of Ronan Point apartment building

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International Journal of Innovative Research in Advanced Engineering (IJIRAE)

Issue 12, Volume 2 (December 2015)

ISSN: 2349-2763
www.ijirae.com

Progressive collapse can be defined by a chain failure of structural members triggered by local failure or damage and
causing partial or entire collapse of the structure (ASCE, 2005). The local failure or damage in well-engineered structures
and buildings usually results from unanticipated abnormal loads. The abnormal loads arise from extraordinary events
which are characterized by low probability of occurrence, short time effect and high intensity. Abnormal loads may include
pressure loads (gas explosions and bomb blasts), impact loads (aircraft and vehicular collision and failing debris) and
deformation loads (softening members resulting from fire and foundation subsidence) (ASCE, 2005).In many cases,
extraordinary events are indirectly avoided by nonstructural measures. However, the increase in potential extraordinary
events and the difficulty of applying nonstructural measures increase the risk of the progressive collapse. Also, recent
facilities and architectural requirements to construct buildings with large panels and needs for high rise building
increase the hazards of the extraordinary events that may lead to the progressive collapse.
II. GUIDELINES BY THE U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (GSA)
The aim of GSA guidelines is to help in evaluating the risk of progressive collapse criteria in new and existing structures.
This document offers compact & direct guidelines. They do not qualify for exemption from consideration of progressive
collapse, contains guidelines for the analyses of typical and atypical structural systems. A typical structure is defined as
having relatively simple layout with no unusual structural configurations. Both typical and atypical structures are
discussed in this paper. To determine the potential of progressive collapse for a typical and atypical structure, designers
can perform structural analyses in which the instantaneous loss of one of the following first floor columns at a time is
assumed. For the determination of analysis we have taken 4 x 3 bays model, and analyzed for Seismic zone (V).
The following analysis case should be considered:
1. An exterior column near the middle of the long side of the building.
2. An exterior column near the middle of the short side of the building.
3. A column located at the corner of the building.
4.A column interior to the perimeter column lines for facilities that have underground parking and/or uncontrolled public
ground floor areas.
2.1 LINEAR STATIC ANALYSIS
In the linear static analysis column is removed from the location being considered and linear static analysis with the
gravity load imposed on the structure has been carried out. From the analysis results demand at critical locations are
obtained and from the original seismically designed section the capacity of the member is determined. Check for the DCR
in each structural member is carried out. If the DCR of a member exceeds the acceptance criteria, the member is
considered as failed. The demand capacity ratio calculated from linear static procedure helps to determine the
potential for progressive collapse of building.
2.2 ANALYSIS LOADING
For static analysis purpose the following vertical load shall be applied downward to the structure under investigation:
Load
=
2(DL + 0.25 LL)
Where,
DL
=
Dead Load
LL
=
Live Load
2.3 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
An examination of the linear elastic analysis results shall be performed to identify the magnitude and distribution of potential
demands on both Symmetrical and unsymmetrical structural elements for quantifying potential collapse areas. The magnitude
and distribution of these demands will be indicated by Demand Capacity Ratios (DCR).
D.C.R. = QUD / QCE
QUD = Acting Force (demand) determined in component or connection/joint (moment, axial force, shear, and
possible combine forces)
QCE = Expected ultimate, unfactored capacity of the component and/or connection/joint (moment, axial force, shear,
and possible combine forces)
Using the DCR criteria of the linear elastic approach, structural elements and connections that have DCR values that exceed
the following allowable values are considered to be collapsed.
The allowable DCR values for Symmetrical and unsymmetrical structural elements are:

DCR < 2.0 for Symmetrical structural configuration.

DCR < 2.0 for Unsymmetrical structural configuration

2.4 SCOPE
For the study five story reinforced concrete structure symmetrical and Unsymmetrical is considered. The progressive collapse
is initiated by removing verticals load carrying members.
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International Journal of Innovative Research in Advanced Engineering (IJIRAE)

Issue 12, Volume 2 (December 2015)

ISSN: 2349-2763
www.ijirae.com

III. METHODOLOGY
For the analysis, symmetrical and Unsymmetrical frame model of plan as shown in Fig.1 & 2 and of height 16.0 m. The
ground and the rest of the storey are taken to be 3.2 m high. The column cross section is taken as 0.30m x 0.45m. Beam
size is taken as 0.3m x 0.45 m. The floor slabs are modeled as plates of 0.12m thickness. Wall having 200 mm thickness is
considered on all the beams. All the supports are modeled as fixed supports. Linear analysis is conducted on each of
these models.
Fig.1 Plan of Symmetrical Framed structure

Fig.2 Plan of Unsymmetrical Framed structure

LOAD CONSIDERED ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Dead Load as per IS 875 (Part I).
2. Live Load IS 875 (Part II)
On Roof 1.5 KN/m2 and on Floors 3.0 KN/m2
3. Wind Load as per IS 875 (Part III).
4. Self-weight of the Structural elements, Floor Finish =1.5 KN/m2.
5. Seismic loading as per IS: 1893 (Part I): 2002.
Zone V, Zone factor = 0.36, Soil Type = Type II, Medium Class, Importance Factor = 1.0 and Response Reduction Factor
= 5.0
The characteristic compressive strength of concrete (fck) is 25 N/mm2 and yield strength of reinforcing steel (fy) is 415
N/mm2. Analysis and design of building for the loading is performed in the ETABS 9.7.Five storey building is designed for
seismic loading in ETABS 9.7 according to the IS 456:2000.
IV. ANALYSIS
To evaluate the potential for progressive collapse of a five storey symmetrical & Unsymmetrical reinforced concrete building
using the linear static analysis four column removal conditions is considered. First building is designed in ETABS v 9.7 for
the IS 1893 (Part-I) load combinations. Then separate linear static analysis is performed for each case of column removal.
Demand capacity ratio for the moments and forces at all storeys is calculated for four cases of column failure. Fig.3 & 4 are
shown Column C1, C3, C9 and C10 are removed for progressive collapse analysis in different cases.

Fig.3 Removed Columns C1, C3, C9, C10

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International Journal of Innovative Research in Advanced Engineering (IJIRAE)

Issue 12, Volume 2 (December 2015)

ISSN: 2349-2763
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Fig.4 Removed Columns C1, C3, C9, C10

V. CALCULATION OF DEMAND CAPACITY RATIO
Capacity of the member at any section is calculated as per IS 456:2000 from the obtained reinforcement details after analysis
and design. Demand capacity ratio after removal of column is found out considering the member force for the load
combination as per GSA guidelines. Member forces are obtained by analysis results carried out in ETABS 9.7
5.1 INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESULT
The DCR values for the columns in all four cases do not exceed the acceptance criteria value suggested by GSA guidelines
and hence columns are safe against progressive collapse. But for a removed column adjacent beams DCR values exceed the
acceptance criteria value suggested by GSA guidelines. The DCR values of unsafe beams in all seismic zones are
summarized below:
5.2 FOR SYMMETRICAL AND UNSYMMETRICAL FRAMED STRUCTURES.
After getting all the DCR values for all case of column removal, for Zone-V. For Column C3 removed Beams B2, B3, and
B29 have demand capacity ratios (DCRs) less than the limit of 2 the acceptance criteria value suggested by GSA
guidelines and, therefore, do not need additional reinforcement to resist progressive collapse as in Table -1 and 2
respectively.
TABLE 4.19 SUMMARY OF DCRS FOR BEAMS ADJACENT TO REMOVED COLUMNS FOR SYMMETRICAL STRUCTURES
De m an d

C apaci ty

Rati os

Re m ove d
C ol u m n

C on n e cte
d B e am

M2

M3

M2

M3

P/P

M2/M2

M3/M3

Long

B2

-5.88

-0.054

-128.16

-5.88

-0.054

-128.162

Side Column
Eliminat ed

B3

-5.88

-127.9

-5.88

-127.902

C3

B 29

-5.86

0.01

-109

-5.86

0.01

-108.996

Short

B 26

6.34

0.025

-102.73

6.34

0.025

-102.725

Side Column
Eliminat ed

B 27

7.53

0.003

-119.6

7.53

0.003

-119.601

0.167

0.993

C 10

B8

-3.76

-0.044

-105.78

-3.76

-0.044

-105.78

Column
Eliminat ed

B1

-8.45

0.05

-111.31

-8.45

0.05

-111.308

C1

B27

-11.3

0.003

-150.48

-11.3

0.003

-150.48

Int erior

B7

-3.45

0.004

-144.37

-3.45

0.004

-144.374

O.

Column
Eliminat ed

B8

-0.87

-157.46

-0.87

-157.455

C9

B 25

4.54

0.001

-153.79

4.54

0.001

-153.785

B 28

5.29

-0.054

-128.16

5.29

-0.054

-128.162

Corner

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International Journal of Innovative Research in Advanced Engineering (IJIRAE)

Issue 12, Volume 2 (December 2015)

ISSN: 2349-2763
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TABLE 4.20 SUMMARY OF DCRS FOR BEAMS ADJACENT TO REMOVED COLUMNS FOR SYMMETRICAL STRUCTURES
De m an d

C apaci ty

Rati os

Re m ove d
C ol u m n

C on n e cte
d Be am

M2

M3

M2

M3

P/P

M2/M2

M3/M3

Long

B 2

-6.13

-0.056

-128.3

-6.13

-0.056

-128.302

Side Column
Eliminat ed

B 3

-6.13

-0.056

-128.3

-6.13

-0.056

-128.302

C3

B 29

-5.36

-128.33

-5.36

-128.325

Short

B 26

6.31

0.011

-109.56

6.31

0.011

-109.556

Side Column
Eliminat ed

B 27

7.57

0.004

101.57

7.57

0.024

-102.25

0.167

0.993

C 10

B 8

-3.86

-0.001

-120.48

-3.86

-0.001

-120.476

Corner

-8.24

-0.045

-104.85

-8.24

-0.045

-104.849

Column
Eliminat ed

B1
-11.3

0.054

-111.46

-11.3

0.054

-111.46

C1

B27

-3.5

-0.001

-151.37

-3.5

-0.001

-151.37

Int erior

B 7

-0.91

0.004

-145.76

-0.91

0.004

-145.76

Column
Eliminat ed

B 8

4.46

0.002

-158.42

4.46

0.002

-158.42

O.

C9

B 25

5.3

-0.001

140.03

5.3

-0.001

140.034

B 28

5.3

-0.001

140.03

5.3

-0.001

140.034

For Column C10 removed Beams B26, B27, and B8 have demand capacity ratios (DCRs) less than the limit of 2 the
acceptance criteria value suggested by GSA guidelines and, therefore, do not need additional reinforcement to resist
progressive collapse as in Table -1 and 2 respectively.
For Column C1 removed Beams B1 and B27 have demand capacity ratios (DCRs) less than the limit of 2 the acceptance
criteria value suggested by GSA guidelines and, therefore, do not need additional reinforcement to resist progressive
collapse as in Table -1 and 2 respectively.
For Column C9 removed Beams B7, B8, B25 and B28 have demand capacity ratios (DCRs) less than the limit of 2 the
acceptance criteria value suggested by GSA guidelines and, therefore, do not need additional reinforcement to resist
progressive collapse as in Table -1 and 2 respectively.
VI. CONCLUSIONS
Based on t h e limited study of progressive collapse on symmetrical and Unsymmetrical reinforced framed structure the
following broad conclusions can be made.
1. The DCRs values of Loads, Beams Design forces and Beam forces are less than 2 in all cases studied; it suggests that
columns are safe as per GSA guidelines for progressive collapse analysis. Hence seismically designed building
columns have inherent ability to resist progressive collapse.
2. The beams whose DCR values are less than acceptance criteria values suggested by GSA for progressive
collapse guidelines are safe.
3. To avoid the progressive
failure of beams and columns, caused by failure of particular column, adequate
reinforcement is required to limit the DCR within the acceptance criteria.
4. Applying the GSA criteria to prevent progressive collapse for concrete buildings can be accomplished by the
structural engineer using readily available software and for little additional construction cost.The adequate
reinforcement provided in extra to beams which are unsafe can develop alternative load paths and prevent
progressive collapse due to the loss of an individual member
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE SCOPE

Investigating failure of columns located in floors other than the ground floor, for example in the middle level storey
and just beneath the roof. Also, considering atypical building including both horizontal and vertical irregularities in
the building plan.
Conducting optimum design of the braced frame by considering different configurations.
Conducting experimental investigations on building models built in the laboratory or on prototype reinforced
concrete buildings retrofitted by the proposed mitigation scheme to compare the results with that obtained from the
numerical investigations.
The proposed mitigation scheme is a new scheme that is recommended to discuss further topics including practical
issues related to the installing details and cost evaluation.

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International Journal of Innovative Research in Advanced Engineering (IJIRAE)

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ISSN: 2349-2763
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REFRENCES
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Services
Administration (GSA). (2003). Progressive collapse analysis and design guidelines for new
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Standards, New Delhi.
[3]. IS 1893 (Part 1):2002 (2006). Criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures.5th Revision, 3rd Reprint,
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[4]. ETAB v 9.7 analysis reference manual, Computers and Structures, Inc., Berkeley.
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