Comparative Study of Progressive Collapse Resistance in Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Reinforced Concrete Frames: Influence of Infill Panels
摘要
This paper presents a nonlinear dynamic analysis of symmetrical and asymmetrical reinforced concrete (RC) frames subjected to corner and middle column removal, with and without the presence of infill panels and wall loads. This investigation evaluated the maximum vertical deflection, ductility, and plastic hinge rotation across different structural configurations. The results indicate that symmetrical frames exhibit significantly lower deflections and plastic rotations than asymmetrical frames, demonstrating better resistance to progressive collapse. For bare frames without wall load, maximum deflections reached 16.54 mm in symmetrical and 124.39 mm in asymmetrical configurations. The application of wall loads and the inclusion of infill panels effectively reduced the deflections in both frame types, thereby enhancing the overall performance. Despite the higher response in asymmetrical frames, all measured values remained within the allowable performance limits defined by the General Services Administration (GSA). The findings underscore the importance of frame symmetry and the role of infill elements in improving the structural resilience against progressive collapse.