Progressive collapse is, according to GSA (2003), a situation where local failure of a primary structural component leads to the collapse of adjoining members which, in turn, leads to additional collapse. Since the experimental studies are costly and difficult to perform, numerical methods are a practical way to predict the structural response induced by the abnormal loads. Thus, this paper investigates the progressive collapse potential of two low-rise RC framed structures using two advanced numerical methods: Finite Element Method (FEM) and Applied Element Method (AEM). The confidence of these numerical methods is confirmed through numerical calibrations based on experimental study involving a nine panel reinforced concrete two-way slab subjected to gravity loads. Two structures of 3 and 6-story height are analyzed and the interior column damage scenario is considered. The structural response of the damaged models is assessed via the nonlinear dynamic analysis (NDA), in association with FEM, respectively AEM. The differences between the results in terms of vertical displacements and rotations, obtained via the two considered approaches, are compared and discussed.
Mircea Boteza, Lucian Bredean and Adrian M. Ioani (2014). Numerical Methods in Progressive Collapse Assessment of RC Framed Structures: FEM vs. AEM. 5th International Congress on Computational Mechanics and Simulation, ICCMS2014 (doi:10.3850/978-981-09-1139-3_213).