Numerical study on upgrading beam-column connections in steel framed buildings for progressive collapse mitigation

This research used intensive numerical analysis to identify weak points and structural issues important to limiting the spread of collapse. As a consequence, four specimens of strengthened and unstrengthened steel beam-column joint assemblies were examined using scaled models. The data were used to validate numerical models. The control specimen was a simple shear joint from one of the four experimental assemblies. The second specimen was a bolted steel beam column joint used as a reference specimen to represent the ideal beam-column joint often used in intermediate moment-resisting frames in seismic zones across the globe. The third specimen, like the control, but it had two side plates welded together to strengthen the joint site, while the fourth specimen had high-strength, hot-rolled steel bars pretensioned inside the joint zone. ABAQUS software was used to create numerical finite element models to evaluate the behavior of steel frame assemblies before and after upgrading. The FEM matrix included 22 specimens with various characteristics, including plate thickness, steel grade, a contact between beam flange-strengthening plates, and a column that was either welded or not welded in the first scheme, number and diameter of hot-rolled steel bars were for the second scheme. The effectiveness of the strengthening techniques was established by comparing the mode of failure and load-displacement characteristics of the investigated specimens.