Effect of Horizontal Restraints on Progressive Collapse Resistance of Precast Concrete Beam-Column Framed Substructures

The aim of this study is to reveal the effect of horizontal restraints on the progressive collapse behaviour of precast concrete (PC) framed substructures. To this end, two one-thirds-scale 2-storey 2-span beam-column sub-frames with varying horizontal restraint conditions have been experimentally investigated. A nonlinear finite element (FE) model based on ABAQUS package was established and validated against failure modes and load-carrying capacity recorded in the test. Parametric studies were conducted using the FE simulation approach to investigate the effect of key design variables on the performance of the PC sub-frames. It was found that the failure of the PC beam-column assemblies was dominated by pull-out of anchorage bars on side joints and the load-carrying capacity of the PC sub-frames were considerably affected by horizontal restraints.