Progressive collapse assessment of precast concrete connections using the applied element method (AEM)

Abstract

Precast concrete components are manufactured in a well-controlled environment. It has been proven to show good behaviour under gravity and lateral loads. However, the beam to column connections remain the critical part in the precast concrete structures under the column loss scenario in a progressive collapse scenario. In this paper, different beam to column connections, wet and dry connections, are studied and investigated numerically under the column removal scenario. A detailed model for the different connections is developed using the Applied Element Method (AEM). Different column removal locations are considered in the study to provide a comprehensive assessment. The performance of the connections is studied in terms of ultimate load capacity and rotational ductility. According to the results obtained, a connection enhancement is suggested to increase the resistance of precast concrete structures to progressive collapse.